Modals expressing ability

I ________ speak English really well (I am able to do it)

• can

• could have

• could

• Sergio Ramos

I __________ swim by the age of three (it was possible to do it - general ability in the past)

• can

• was able to

• could

• Sergio Ramos

In the end, UEFA _____________ move the Euros to 2021 (managed to/succeeded in doing it on one specific occasion)

• Sergio Ramos

• could

• can

• was able to

My friend was turned away at the door, but she...

• was able to get in at another club

• could get in at another club

• um...

• Sergio Ramos

Which sentence(s) contain the correct modal, talking about the past using a negative?

• I can't finish the exam paper, so I left the hall with 30 minutes remaining

• I wasn't able to finish the exam paper, so I left the hall with 30 minutes remaining

• I couldn't finish the exam paper, so I left the hall with 30 minutes remaining

• Sergio Ramos

In the past, we use 'could'

• only when speaking in general

• Pardon, could you repeat that, please?

• only when speaking on Tuesdays

• Sergio Ramos

In the past we use, 'was/were able to' when...

• in Rome

• will you return my class, it's like, been ages

• speaking about something done successfully on one specific occasion

• Sergio Ramos

We use 'couldn't' and 'wasn't/weren't able to' in the past when...

• speaking in general

• speaking about one specific occasion

• Sergio Ramos

• getting down

We use 'be able to' after

• dinner

• eights

• an infinitive, for example, 'to be able to speak English'

• Sergio Ramos

We use 'able to' with which tense(s)

• present

• perfect

• future

• Sergio Ramos