Modals expressing present ability
To express that someone has the power or skill to do something, the auxiliaryA helping verb used with main verbs to express mood, voice and tense. E.g.: I can't stand when I am disturbed. ("can", "am") can and the semi-auxiliary be able to is used.
I can swim.
We can't enter this street because it's blocked.
I am not able to help you at the moment.
Grammar quotes
Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.
–
Albert Einstein
If one cannot invent a really convincing lie, it is often better to stick to the truth.
–
Angela Thirkell
If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere.
–
Frank A. Clark
There is no man living that cannot do more than he thinks he can.
–
Henry Ford
If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.
–
Mary Engelbreit
No river can return to its source, yet all rivers must have a beginning.
–
Native American proverb
You must learn from the mistakes of others. You can't possibly live long enough to make them all yourself.
–
Samuel Levenson
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- Modals expressing present habits
- Modals expressing present and future criticism
- Modals expressing past ability
- Modals expressing present and future unlikelihood
- Past subjunctive
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