Curso:
B1 - Destiny
Mastering Abilities across all Tenses (Can vs. Be Able To)
Write down 3 things about your abilities. Two must be TRUE, and one must be a LIE.
Example:
1. I can play the guitar.
2. I can speak Japanese.
3. I can hold my breath for 2 minutes.
Your classmates will ask you questions to guess the lie!
Both CAN and BE ABLE TO are used to talk about ability and possibility. But there is a huge difference!
If someone says: "I’ve never been able to swim."
This means: From the day they were born until THIS VERY MOMENT, they never had the ability, the opportunity, or the time to learn. The lack of ability connects the past with the present!
Choose an ability. Ask your partner if they can do it.
"Can you [cook / drive / speak French]?"
If they say YES, ask them:
"How long have you been able to do it?"
Answer honestly!
"Yes, I can." OR "No, I can't. I've never been able to do it."
If you say YES, use Since or For:
"I have been able to [cook] since I was 15."
Today we learned that our abilities change over time. What about your future?
Share your goal with the teacher before leaving the class!
Debes iniciar sesión para usar el tutor.