LONGMAN ENGLISH GRAMMAR PRACTICE

11 Modal auxiliarles and related verbs11.2 Uses of modals (etc.) to express ability and inability11.2A Expressing present and past ability: 'can' and 'be able to' [> LEG 11.10-12]1 We can use can (or sometimes am/is/are able to) to describe natural or learned ability:I can (I am able to) run 1500 metres in 5 minutes, (natural ability)I can't (I am not able to/I am unable to) drive, (learned ability)2 We can use could, couldn't or was/were (not) able to to describe 'general ability in the past':I could (I was able to) run very fast when I was a boy. (i.e. general ability)3 We use was/were able to or managed to (Not "could*) to describe the successful completionof a specific action:We were able to (we managed to) get tickets for the match yesterday. (Not "could")4 However, we can use couldn't to describe a specific action not successfully completed:We couldn't get tickets for the match yesterday. Or:We weren't able to/didn't manage to get tickets for the match yesterday.Write:11.2BSupply can, can't, could, couldn't, was/were able to, managed to. Alternatives are possible.1 A good 1500-metre runner G&tb run the race in under four minutes.2 Bill is so unfit he run at all!3 Our baby is only nine months and he already stand up.4 When I was younger, I speak Italian much better than I now.5 she speak German very well? - No, she speak German at all.6 He draw or paint at all when he was a boy, but now he's a famous artist.7 After weeks of training, I swim a length of the baths underwater.8 It took a long time, but in the end Tony save enough to buy his own hi-fi.9 Did you buy any fresh fish in the market? - No, I get any.10 For days the rescuers looked for the lost climbers in the snow. On the fourth day theysaw them andreach them without too much trouble.'Can/could' with verbs of perception: 'I can see' [> LEG Э.З, НИЗ, APP 38.4]Study:из158Write:1 Verbs of perception are verbs like see, hear, smell, etc. [> 9.1 C]2 When we are describing something that is happening now, we do not use the progressive withthese verbs: I see a bird in that tree. (Not "I'm seeing")3 We often use can + verb in place of the simple present with verbs of perception:I can see a bird in that tree. (= I see) Can you see it? (= Do you see)We often use could + verb in place of the simple past with verbs of perception:I looked up, but couldn't see anything. (= didn't see). . - • - - - • • -Rewrite these sentences using can, can't, could or couldn't.1 Do you see that man over there?2 I smell something burning3 I understood what he said4 Did you understand what he said?5 I don't see anyone6 I didn't understand what he saidJ