Permission, Requests and Ability
Permission (asking if you can do something) and requests (asking somebody else to do something) can be confusing for learners as it’s possible to use some modals for both whereas others can only be used for one or the other.
With this is mind, answer the following multiple choice questions paying attention to the feedback provided for each.
In the following sentences, mark all the options which are possible in the context given.
There are also some important rules to be aware of when it comes to using can for ability which are as follows:
You will almost certainly be aware that can and can’t are used to express the general ability to do something in the present. For example:
I can speak five languages but I can’t speak a word of Portuguese.
Could is used to talk about a general ability in the past. For example:
When I was younger, I could run much faster than I can today.
However, when talking about a one-off occurrence, we need to use was/were able to + infinitive or managed to + infinitive. For example:
The exam was very difficult, but I was able to / managed to answer most of the questions.
The negative couldn’t can be used in all circumstances when talking about past ability. For example:
When I was younger, I couldn’t get to sleep without my favourite teddy.
The exam was very difficult and I couldn’t answer all the questions.