Modal Auxiliaries - English
Subject: English
Subject Code: HUM 4101
Topic: Model Auxiliaries
Lecturer: Md. Arif Moinuddin Chy
Mira:
Hey Maryam, can
you play any instruments?
Maryam: Yea, I can.
Mira:
How many instruments can
you play?
Maryam : Three
- the violin, the flute and the piano.
Mira:
That's terrific. You haven't got a piano here, though.
Maryam : No,
but I can
go to the music room at the Uni
and
play the one in there.
Mira:
I'm not musical at all. I can't
even sing.
Ability:
can, could, be
able to
Can and be
able to
In
the present
tense, be able to is
a little more formal
than can.
Ex: Emma is good with computers. She can write/is able to write programs.
For
the
future we
use can or will be able to.
If we finish our class, we
can go/we'll be able to go to GEC circle to have something.
I'm afraid I can't come/I won't be able to come to the party
on
Friday.
Could
and was/were able to
For ability
or opportunity in the past, we use could
or was/were able to.
a.Natasha
could play (OR was able to play)
the piano when she was four.
b.
In those
days we had a car, so we could
travel (OR were able to travel) very
easily.
To say something
really happened and showed the ability or opportunity,
we use:
was/were
able to but not could.
The
plane was able to take off at eleven o'clock,
after the fog had lifted.
Luckily
Mark was able to get (OR succeeded in getting)
the work done in time.
The
drivers were able to stop (OR managed to stop)
before they crashed into each other.
Can
and be able to
Harry is
visiting David, who hurt himself when he fell off a ladder. Complete the
conversation using can
or
be able to.
Sometimes there is more than one possible answer.
Harry: Hello,
David. I'm sorry I haven't (►) been
able to come (come) and see you before.
I've been really busy recently.
How
are you?
David: I'm OK, thanks. (1)………….
(I /
walk) around now.
The doctor says (2) ..................
(I /
go) back to work soon.
It'll be nice (3)......................…..
(get)
out again. I hate being stuck here like this. I haven't
(4)……………...............
(do)
anything interesting.
Permission:
can,
may,
could,
be allowed to
Asking
permission
We use can, could or may to
ask for permission.
Can I use your
pen?
Could we borrow your
ladder, please? ~ Well, I'm using it at the moment.
May I see the
letter? ~ Certainly.
Could often
sounds more polite
than
can. May is rather formal.
Giving
and refusing permission
To give permission we use
can or may (but not could).
You can wait in my office if you like.
Could
I borrow your
calculator? ~ Of course you
can.
You may telephone from here, (a written notice)
May
is formal and is not often used in speech.
To refuse permission we use can't or may not
(but not couldn't).
Could
we picnic here? ~ I'm sorry. I'm afraid you can't.
Members
may not bring more than two guests into
the club. We can also use must
not.
Luggage
must not be left unattended.
Talking
about permission
We sometimes talk about rules made
by someone else. To do this we use can, could and be allowed to.
For
the present = can; the past = could.
Present: Each
passenger can take one bag onto the plane.
Past: In
the 1920s you could
drive without taking a test.
We can also use be allowed to.
Present: Passengers
are allowed to take one bag onto the
plane.
Future: Will I be allowed to record the interview
on tape?
Past:
We
weren't allowed to look round the factory
yesterday.
Compare these questions with may and be allowed to.
A
B
ASKING FOR PERMISSION ASKING ABOUT PERMISSION
May
I take a photo of you?
Are we allowed to take photos?
(= Will you allow it?) (= What
is the rule?)
Asking
permission
How would you ask for permission in
these situations?
Use Can
I...?, Could I...? or May I...? And
use these
verbs: borrow, join, look at
You are at a friend's flat. You
want to make a phone call. = Can
I
use your phone?
1 You need a calculator. The person
sitting next to you has got one.
2 You have gone into a Tea
stall. Three
people who you know from work are sitting at a table. You go over to
the table.
3 You had to go to a lecture, but
you were ill. Your friend went to the lecture and took notes. Next day
you are
well again and you see your friend.
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