A1 Elemental
Modal verb "Can"
I can read
The modal "can" is a commonly used modal verb in Englesh. It is used to express: ability, opportunity, a request, to grant permission, to show possibility or impossibility.
I can swim
It can be true
He can read
In the past tense "can" has the for "could":
I could swim when I was 10
You could be quiet
In the future "can" has no form, instead we use the form "be able to":
I will be able to swim soon
For the negative form, add not after can/ could, and it is often shortened:
I can not find my key
I cannot find my key
I can't find my key
I could not swim when I was 5
I couldn't swim when I was 5
Interrogative form:
Can you swim?
Can't you be quiet?
In the nex topic we will look at 3 more modal verbs.