Modal verbs: ability & permission
ABILITY- zdolność, umiejętnosc
Emma is good with computers. She can write / is able to write programs.
(In the present tense, ‘be able to’ is a little more formal than ‘can’.)
It’s nice to be able to go to the opera.
She might be able to go to the opera.
Today I have been able to get some work done.
If I earn some money, we will be able to go on holiday.
(In some structures, we always use ‘be able to’, not ‘can’.)
Susan could play / was able to play the piano when she was five.
(For ability in the past, we use ‘could’ or ‘was/were able to’.)
The children could swim when they were quite young.
(a past ability- umieli, potrafili)
The children were able to swim across the river.
(a past action- udało im się to zrobić)
The pool was closed, so they couldn’t / weren’t able to have a swim.
Could you / Were you able to describe the man to the police?
(In negative sentences and questions, we can use either form.)
PERMISSION- zgoda, zezwolenie
Can I use your pen?
Could we borrow your ladder, please?
May I see the report?
(‘could’ sounds more polite than ‘can’; ‘may’ is rather formal)
You can wait in my office if you like.
You may telephone from here.
Passengers are allowed to take one bag onto the plane.
(To give permission we don’t use ‘could’; ‘may’ is formal and not often used in speech.)
I’m afraid you can’t / may not picnic here.
(To refuse permission we use ‘can’t or ‘may not’.)
In the 1920s you could / were allowed to drive without taking a test. (a general permission)
I was allowed to leave work early yesterday. (a particular action)
(To talk about the past we use ‘could’ or ‘was/were allowed to’.)
May I take a photo of you? (= will you give me your permission?)
Are we allowed to take photos? (= what is the rule?)
Now, do the test below.
TEST
Emma is good with computers. She can write / is able to write programs.
(In the present tense, ‘be able to’ is a little more formal than ‘can’.)
It’s nice to be able to go to the opera.
She might be able to go to the opera.
Today I have been able to get some work done.
If I earn some money, we will be able to go on holiday.
(In some structures, we always use ‘be able to’, not ‘can’.)
Susan could play / was able to play the piano when she was five.
(For ability in the past, we use ‘could’ or ‘was/were able to’.)
The children could swim when they were quite young.
(a past ability- umieli, potrafili)
The children were able to swim across the river.
(a past action- udało im się to zrobić)
The pool was closed, so they couldn’t / weren’t able to have a swim.
Could you / Were you able to describe the man to the police?
(In negative sentences and questions, we can use either form.)
PERMISSION- zgoda, zezwolenie
Can I use your pen?
Could we borrow your ladder, please?
May I see the report?
(‘could’ sounds more polite than ‘can’; ‘may’ is rather formal)
You can wait in my office if you like.
You may telephone from here.
Passengers are allowed to take one bag onto the plane.
(To give permission we don’t use ‘could’; ‘may’ is formal and not often used in speech.)
I’m afraid you can’t / may not picnic here.
(To refuse permission we use ‘can’t or ‘may not’.)
In the 1920s you could / were allowed to drive without taking a test. (a general permission)
I was allowed to leave work early yesterday. (a particular action)
(To talk about the past we use ‘could’ or ‘was/were allowed to’.)
May I take a photo of you? (= will you give me your permission?)
Are we allowed to take photos? (= what is the rule?)
Now, do the test below.
TEST
