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Modal verbs and 'be able to' Correct usage

Can

'Can' is a modal verb meaning 'to be able to' or 'free to' do something.

Most people can walk and talk.


Can I use your telephone?

Doctors say chocolate can be addictive.

Can you speak English?

Can you fly? No, I can't.

We can see the moon on Poya days.

Can you come and see me tomorrow?

Can I use your telephone?

I can do the work provided you pay me.

My sister can do the cooking, if necessary.

'Cannot' or 'can't is the negative form of 'can'

I can't do philosophy.

You cannot enjoy all the perks when you retire.

'Can' and 'cannot' (can't) are frequently used with verbs such as 'see, hear, smell, feel' to say that you know something is happenings.

I can hear somebody singing in the bathroom.


Susima might be able to meet the principal.

Can you see that man? He looks like a thief.

Doctor: Does it hurt?

Patient: No, I can't feel anything.

'Can' and 'can't' can also be used with verbs such as 'imagine, believe, and 'understand'.

I can't imagine how you are going to live in Korea.

Sena: I have passed the exam.

Bala: I can't believe it because you never studied!

'Can't' is used to express strong feelings, or surprise.

I can't tell you how I escaped unhurt.

Ramya! I can't believe it. Why are you leaving the school?

'Could' is the past tense of 'can'. The negative 'could not' is contracted as 'couldn't.'

'Could' and 'couldn't' are used to talk about a general ability in the past.

Raju could read the English alphabet when he was only three.

Sorry, I couldn't do my homework.

'Could' and 'couldn't' can be used to talk about the possibility of something in the present or future.

Take the umbrella, it could rain. (future)

Could I speak to Manel? (present)


Take the umbrella, it could rain. (future)

'Could' is used to ask for permission.

Could I have a word with you?

'Could' can be used to make requests and suggestions.

Could you lend me Rs. 100?

You could stay in the car, if you like.

'Can' has only two forms: can (present) and 'could' (past). As 'can' has no present perfect form, We have to use 'able to'.

Kamal has not been able to sleep recently.

Susima might be able to meet the principal.

('Can' has no infinitive)


Test your word power

Select the word in each group of four which is nearest in meaning to the given word.

1. Acumen (courage, intelligence, discernment, veracity)

2. Acute (severe, actual, pleasant, bright)

3. Aloof (friendly, unfriendly, kind, jealous)

4. Abate (decrease, increase, succeed, fail)

5. Abrupt (sudden, late, hard, soft)

6. Accede (disagree, agree, avoid, reject)

7. Abduct (praise, kidnap, assault, fight)

8. Abattoir (attic, slaughterhouse, cave, space)

9. Abhor (detest, endure, entice, lick)

10. Abnegate (renounce, allow, authorize, prepare)

11. Abode (home, heaven, palace, forest)

12. Abrogate (refrain, repeal, assimilate, consume)

*******

Key

1. discernment, 2. severe, 3. unfriendly, 4. ecrease,

5. sudden, 6. agree, 7. kidnap, 8. slaughterhouse,

9. detest, 10. renounce, 11. home, 12. repeal.

*******

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Match words denoting places

In column 'A' you will find a number of words denoting places. In column 'B' there are single words denoting places. Match them and check your answers .

 

Column A 							Column B 
01. The resting place of a wild animal 				A. laboratory 
02. The house or bed of a hare 					B. archives 
03. A nest of a bird of prey 					C. library 
04. A place where medicines are compounded 			D. hostel 
05. A place for the treatment of sick people			E. gallery 
06. A residence for monks or priests 				F. inn 
07. A place where butter and cheese are made			G. hanger 
08. A place where bread is made 				H. garage 
09. A place where animals are slaughtered			I. laundry 
10. A factory for manufacturing beer 				J. distillery 
11. A place where liquor is produced 				K. brewery 
12. A place where clothes are cleaned				L. abattoir 
13. A place where a car is kept 				M. bakery 
14. A place where planes are kept 				N. dairy 
15. A place where travellers stay 				O. monastery 
16. The kitchen of a ship 					P. hospital 
17. A residence for students					Q. dispensary 
18. A place where books are kept 				R. eyrie/aerie 
19. A place where Government records are kept 			S. form 
20. A place where scientific experiments are conducted 		T. lair 

 

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Key: 1.T, 2.S, 3.R, 4.Q, 5.P, 6.O, 7.N, 8.M, 9.L, 10.K, 11.J, 12.I, 13.H, 14.G, 15.F, 16.E, 17.D, 18.C, 19.B, 20.A.

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