MODALS AND PHRASES OF ABILITY

Uses

Can

Could

Be able to

Managed to

Uses

Structure

Example

Uses

Structure

Example

To talk about general abilities

Uses

Structures

Example

In present tense

In past tense

In present perfect, past perfect, and after modal verbs

After other verbs or prepositions

Uses

Structure

Example

For specific past achievements

S + can/can't + verb + complement

I can dance very well

S + could/couldn't + verb + complement

I can't cook fast food

She couldn't swim when she was a child

S + be able to + verb + complement

I want to be able to be a doctor

S + verb or preposition + be able to + complement

S + managed to + verb + complement

He managed to graduate from college