Universidad Tecnológica del Sureste de

Veracruz
English VII
Lic. Ana Laura Vela Velueta
Modals: ability, permission, requests, offers and Suggestions
 Ability
We use can to talk about ability in the present and could to talk about in the past. We use
be able to talk about ability in the present, past or future.
I can/am able to run really fast!
He couldn´t / wasn´t able to read when he was two.
We can use could or was / were able to to talk about general ability in the past, but we
cannot use could for a single completed action.
She could / was able to write when she was three.
We were able to save her life.

 Permission
Can, could, may, be allowed to
We use can, could or may to ask for permission and can´t or may not to refuse
permission.
Can I have a plaster, Mum?
Can / Could / May I use the bathroom?
You may not go onto the ward.
We use can or be allowed to to talk about permission in the present or future.
You can´t / won´t be allowed to go into that part of the hospital.
To talk about the past, we use could or was / were allowed to for general permission and
was / were allowed to for permission on a particular occasion.
I could stay out / was allowed to stay out late when I was young
I was allowed to stay out late yesterday.
 Universidad Tecnológica del Sureste de
Veracruz
English VII
Lic. Ana Laura Vela Velueta

 Requests
We use can, could, will or would to ask someone to do something for us.
Can you give me my medicine?
Would you get me a plaster?
Offers
We use can/could/shall I or would you like me to…? To offer to do something for
someone.
Can/Could/Shall I call the doctor?
Would you like me to call the doctor?
Suggestions
We use can/could to suggest something.
You can/could take a pill. You´ll feel better if you do.
 Universidad Tecnológica del Sureste de
Veracruz
English VII
Lic. Ana Laura Vela Velueta
1 Complete the sentences with the correct modals.
1 were allowed to were able to
a Doctors were pleased that they ____________________ save the patient´s life.
b The nurse said we _____________________ go onto the ward, but only during visiting
hours.

2 shall could
a _______________________ you call an ambulance? This man is badly hurt.
b _______________________ I call you when she comes out of the operating theater?

3 wasn´t allowed to can´t

a Mum said I __________________________________ go out last night because I haven´t
been well lately.
b He ______________________ walk yet, but in a month or so he´ll be fine

4 will be able to could

a You _________________________ visit the patient as soon as he wakes up.
b My grandfather ____________________ drive when he was only thirteen.

5 would may
a ________________________ I go in now to speak to the doctor?
b ________________________ you like me to help you complete this medical form?
 Universidad Tecnológica del Sureste de
Veracruz
English VII
Lic. Ana Laura Vela Velueta

6 wil are able to

a _____________________ ( you) feel both your feet, Mrs Grant?
b _____________________ ( you ) get me my tablets from the kitchen, please?
7 hasn´t been able to couldn´t
a My mother ______________________________ read until she was almost eight years
old.
b Since Maria hurt her ankle last month, she ________________ walk to school.