MODAL VERBS

EXPRESSING PREFERENCE

y In a: Notice that the

y If the verb is the same,

simple form of a verb follows both, WOULD RATHER and THAN.

it doesnt have to be repeated after THAN.

y E.g. I would rather go to y E.g Id rather study

a movie than study grammar.

history, than (study) biology.

PAST FORM
y WOULD RATHER + PAST PARTICIPLE y The movie was okay, but i would rather

have gone to the concert last night. PROGRESSIVE FORM y WOULD RATHER + BE + ING y Id rather be lying on a beach in Cartagena than be sitting in class right now. Auuu!! .. .

In affirmative sentences about past ability, could usually means used to be able to. the use of could usually indicates that the ability existed in the past but doesnt exist now. E.G When i was younger, i could run fast. (probable meaning: I used to be able to run fast, but now i cant run fast.)

y If the speaker is talking about an ability to

perform an act at one particular time in the past , was/were able to can be used in affirmative sentences but no could. Could is not appropiate in this case.

E.g. Tom has started an exercise program. He was able to run two miles yesterday without stopping or slowing down.

y
In negative sentences, there is no difference between using could and was/ were able to. E. g. They couldnt reach/ werent able to reach the top yesterday. Tom couldnt run/wasnt able to run five miles yesterday.

When i was just four months old, i could crawl.

y y y y y

Can usually expresses the idea that something is possible because certain characteristics or conditions exist. Examples: Tom is strong. He can lift that heavy box. I can play the piano. Ive taken lessons for many years. You can see fish at an aquarium. That race car can go very fast. Dogs can bark, but they cannot/cant talk

COMPARISON BETWEEN CAN AND MAY

y EXAMPLES: y I can walk to school. Its not

far p I can walk to school because certain conditions exist. y I may walk to school. Or may take the busp I am less than 50% certain that I will walk to school.

The use of be able to in the simple present is uncommon (but possible). Example: y Tom can lift that box. y Uncommon: Tom is able to lift that box.

Although be able to is more commonly used in combination with other auxiliaries. Example: Ann will be able to lift that box.pwill ( 100 % certainty) Bob may be able to lift that box.pmay (less than 50% certainty) Sue should be able to lift that box.pshould (90% certainty)

 Caroline might be able to lift that box.p be able to lift Caroline might Less than 50% that box.p certainty).

Less than 50% certainty). Jim used to be able to lift that box.have been able to lift I
that box.ppresent perfect been able to lift that I have Jim used to be able to lift that box.

box.ppresent perfect

T H A N K Y O U