What modal verb do we use for abilities in the present? Cats ________ see in the dark.
can (can't)
What modal verb do we use for general abilities in the past? When I was your age, I _______ swim 6 hours non-stop._
could (couldn't)
What do we use for an ability in a specific past situation in the negative? I _______ get my car started last night.
couldn't
What do we use for an ability in a specific past situation in the positive (3 ways)? Mark _______ land a job on Wall street. /Mark _______ landing a job on Wall street.
managed to/ was able to/ succeeded in
What structure do we use for future abilities? After losing some weight, I _______ run faster.
will be able to
We use _______ and _______ to describe what is possible to do. We use _______ for the present and future.We _______ get to Lisbon from my house in about 40 minutes.
can /could; can (can't); can
We use _______ for the past and future to describe what it is possible to do. I'll _______ to go to Albufeira for Christmas this year.
be able to
We use _______ but not _______ or _______ for uncertain future possibilities. I think it _______ get quite cold this evening.
could; can/couldn't; could
We use _______ + past participle for uncertain past possibilities. I _______ been a professional musician, but I chose to go into TV.
could have
We use _______ and_______ + be for logical impossibility in the present. That _______ be my husband at the door; he's in Portugal at the moment.
can't/couldn't
We use _______ and_______ + past participle for logical impossibility in the past. He _______ finished the exam as it only started 10 minutes ago.
can't/couldn't have had
We use _______ to state rules in a formal context. You _______ recycle.
must (mustn't)
We use _______ to express a personal feeling of obligation or a personal belief that something is important. I _______ remember to send Anna thank you letter.
must (mustn't)
We use _______ to describe a duty or obligation, often coming from an external source. We _______ arrive at our jobs at 8.00 a.m.
have to
