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by R. S. Karunaratne
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.
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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.
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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)
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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)
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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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