English Modal Verbs: Ability, Possibility, Obligation, and More
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Ability
Expressing ability with modal verbs:
- Can (present ability): Can you speak French?
- Will be able to (future ability): She will be able to speak French in two months.
- Could (past ability, unrealized potential): I could have gone to university when I was younger.
- Be able to (general ability): She is able to speak Chinese.
- Was/were able to (past ability, achieved action): We were able to escape the fire.
- Couldn't/were not able to (negative past ability): We couldn't/were not able to finish the project.
Possibility
Expressing degrees of possibility:
- May (higher probability): He may be in his office.
- Might (lower probability): She might be 30 years old.
Certainty
Expressing certainty or impossibility:
- Must (certainty): He must be over 70.
- Can't (impossibility)