Share Expressing ability, possibility and obligation
Save to Folder
When I finish the course next year I can speak perfect French.
When I finish the course next year I WILL BE ABLE TO speak perfect French.
You’ll have to call a cab. I can’t have been able to drive since I broke my arm last June.
You’ll have to call a cab. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO drive since I broke my arm last June.
This computer is so simple that it is able to be operated by anyone.
This computer is so simple that it CAN BE operated by anyone.
When she was riding in the woods last week, Helen fell off her horse but luckily she could get back on and ride home.
When she was riding in the woods last week, Helen fell off her horse but luckily she WAS ABLE TO get back on and ride home.
It’s really annoying. Surely you knew they didn’t accept traveller’s cheques at that hotel. You could warn me before I left!
It’s really annoying. Surely you knew they didn’t accept traveller’s cheques at that hotel. You COULD HAVE WARNED me before I left!
What an excellent choice of restaurant. I can’t have chosen better if I’d made the reservation myself!
What an excellent choice of restaurant. I COULDN'T have chosen better if I’d made the reservation myself!
There can be life on Saturn.
There MAY / MIGHT / COULD be life on Saturn.
My father could be a star in the 1980s, it’s a pity that he never really tried.
My father COULD HAVE BEEN a star in the 1980s, it’s a pity that he never really tried.
Jane’s late. She can be stuck in a traffic jam.
Jane’s late. She COULD / MAY / MIGHT be stuck in a traffic jam.
I heard your sales results were excellent. May you get a bonus this year?
I heard your sales results were excellent. COULD / MIGHT YOU GET / IS IT POSSIBLE YOU WILL GET a bonus this year?
Steve couldn’t steal it. I’m sure he was at home all week.
Steve COULDN'T HAVE STOLEN it. I’m sure he was at home all week.
Elizabeth can get better results if she paid more attention to her homework.
Elizabeth COULD / MIGHT get better results if she paid more attention to her homework.
