Ability in the past, present and future

Ability in the past, present and future

9th grade B2.2 - 2025

​But first, what does the term ABILITY mean?

​According to the Cambridge Dictionary is " the physical or mental power or skill needed to do something"

• He had no doubts about his team's ability to reach the World Cup finals.

• I have children in my class of very mixed abilities (= different levels of skill or intelligence).

Multiple Choice

Which modal verbs do we use to talk about ability?

• can / could / should

• can / could/must

• can/could/ be able to

• can/should/ have to

​So, we use these modal verbs to express ability

• Can

• Could

• Be able to (am/ is/ are are to, will be able to, was / were able to)

We can also use these phrases to express ability

• Managed to + infinitive

• Succeeded in + geround​

Multiple Choice

We generally use _______ to talk about an ability in the present

• CAN

• COULD

• BE ABLE TO

Multiple Choice

We generally use______ to talk about ability in the future

• WERE ABLE TO

• COULD

• WAS ABLE TO

• WILL BE ABLE TO

Multiple Choice

When we we need an INFINITIVE or GERUND (ING) to talk about ability we use________

• CAN/COULD

• BE ABLE TO/BEING ABLE TO

• WILL BE ABLE TO/ CAN

• WAS ABLE TO/WERE ABLE TO

Multiple Choice

To talk about ability in the past we use __________

• CAN

• COULD

• WILL BE ABLE TO

Multiple Select

To talk about the ability to do somehting on one specific ocassion in the past we use ____________

• CAN

• COULD

• WAS ABLE TO

• WERE ABLE TO

Multiple Select

To talk about the ability to do something on one specific ocassion in the past, NOT modal verbs, we use...

• managed to

• succeeded in

• could

• was/were able to

Multiple Choice

We use the negative form _______to talk about both general ability or one specific ocassion in the past

• couldn't

• can't

• won't be able to

Multiple Choice

In the past, we can use ______ with verbs of the senses (see, hear, feel, smell, taste) to talk about general ability or one specific ocassion

• can

• could

• will be able to

Let's match the examples with the uses on act. 3 pag. 51

Multiple Choice

I'm really pleased I ____ attend that talk last night

• caouldn't

• can

• manage to

• was able to

Multiple Choice

I _______ understand a word she said

• can

• couldn't

• won't be able

Multiple Choice

It's amazing what you _______ do if you put your mind to it

• be able to

• are able to

• can

• succeeded in

Multiple Choice

Rachel must be really clever. She _______ get 100% in her exam.

• succeeded in

• can

• were able to

• managed to

Multiple Choice

There's no way you_____ finish that by Friday. You may as wellgive up now.

• won't be able to

• will be able to

• am able to

• were able to

Multiple Choice

Whever I'm with Miguel, I _____ stop laughing. He's one of the funniest people I know.

• couldn't

• can't

• won't be able to

• didn't succed in