Ability/inability-65

     Ability/inability expressions- 65

                                 Out of the Books Stuff              

                            Experience English-in-Action 

    This Blog is Updated on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th of every month                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                   

Brain stirrer

Pointing to  a huge rock eighty years old Mulla (Jester), declared that he has the same strength, what he had some fifty years back.  The on-lookers demanded a proof from Mulla. Mulla smiled and declared “ I can’t even shake this rock now, I couldn’t shake it fifty years back either.”

Some Key Words to express ability/inability 

Can/could (strong ability) – can’t/couldn’t (inability)

Capable of  - Incapable of

Able  to – Unable to

Good/ good at  - Not good/not good at

NOTE: Can and able to can’t be used in a same sentences.

For each of the following model sentences we have given five types (1.Simple, 2.negative, 3.yes/no, 4.Negative question and 5.‘wh’ question.), so that the speaker can speak out in whatever mood he/she wants to.

Model sentences

She can ride a bicycle

she can’t ride a bicycle.

Can she ride a bicycle?

Can’t she ride a bicycle. ( I am surprised to know that she can’t ride a bicycle)

What can she ride, a bicycle or a motor bike ?

He can speak Spanish fluently.

He can’t speak Spanish , but he is good in English.

Can he speak Spanish?

Can’t he speak Spanish?

What (language)  can he speak Spanish or English?

Shane is a good swimmer

Shane isn’t a good swimmer.

Is Shane a good swimmer?

Isn’t Shane a good swimmer?

What is Shane good at? swimming or singing.

Joe is good at wrestling.

Joe isn’t good at wrestling but he is good at bullfighting.

Is Joe good at wrestling?

Isn’t Joe good at wrestling?

What is Joe good at? wrestling or bullfighting.

They are capable of  managing (things better now)

They are not capable of….

Are they capable of managing things….?

Aren’t they capable of managing things….?

What are they capable of ?

NOTE:  Incapable =  Not capable

You can do it independently.

You can’t do it independently.

Can you do it independently?

Can’t you do it independently?

How  can you do it independently?

Ability with reference to a future activity

 Will you be able to come tomorrow?

Could you meet me tomorrow?

Can you see me next week?

I am unable to attend the meeting tomorrow.

She can’t bring the files tomorrow.

Could you post this letter for me please? (Request)

 

Ability with reference to a Past  activity

I couldn’t see the dentist last night.

I wasn’t able to see Lara yesterday. (=I was unable to see Lara yesterday)

Sorry, we  couldn’t finish the work yesterday.

Were you  able to locate the bank last week ?(in the town)

 NOTE : Use appropriate helping verbs (am, is, are, was, were, with the subjects like I, we, you, they, he, she, it). To know about this click grammarmail.com                         

 End of the post