How to Use 'Can', 'Could', and 'Be able' to Talk about Ability
How to Use 'Can', 'Could', and 'Be able' to Talk about Ability CAN 1. Present Ability - Used to express someone's current ability or skill. - Example: "I can swim." 2. Permission - Used to ask for or give permission. - Example: "Can I use your phone?" 3. Possibility - Used to state something that might happen. - Example: "It can rain this afternoon." COULD 1. Past Ability - Used to express someone's ability or skill in the past. - Example: "When I was a child, I could climb trees." 2. Polite Request - Used to make a request more polite than "can." - Example: "Could you please pass the salt?" 3. Possibility or Speculation - Used to state something that might happen in the future or under certain conditions. - Example: "If we leave now, we could catch the train." 4. Permission in the Past - Used to express permission give...