MODALS AND PHRASES OF ABILITY
Can
Could
Be able to
Managed to
Uses
Structure
Example
Uses
Structure
Example
To talk about general abilities
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