III. DESCRIPTIVE/INTERPRETIVE FUNCTION OF MODALS: DESCRIPTIONS FROM THE SPEAKER'S POINT OF VIEW (OPINION)
4. Modals of Ability
4.3 Multiple Levels of Certainty are Possible
Modals of ability also have different degrees of certainty. The modal forms above have a strong degree of certainty.
4.3.1 High Certainty
4.3.1.1 Simple Modal Form: Can Do Something, Cannot Do Something
For statements: subject + modal + base form of the verb
Examples
He can fix an engine.
He cannot fix an electrical problem.
For questions: modal + subject + base form of the verb
Example
Can he fix an engine?
4.3.1.2 Phrasal Modal Form: Able To, Not Able To
Follows the subject + linking verb + modifier sentence pattern, with the verb 'BE' as the linking verb followed by 'able to' + base form verb as the modifier. This is descriptive of the subject of the sentence.
For statements: subject + verb BE + phrasal modal + base form of the verb
Examples
Maria is able to speak three languages fluently.
Maria is not able to speak French.
For questions: verb BE + subject + phrasal modal (with 'to') + base form of the verb
Example
Is Raul able to finish the work by tomorrow?
4.3.1.3 Other Verb Tenses of Ability: High Certainty
Simple Modals: modal 'could' + base form of the verb
- Past Simple Modal Form: use the past modal 'could' + base form of the verb
Example
When he was young, my uncle could dance very well.
Phrasal Modals
- Past Phrasal Modal Form: use the past verb BE (was/were) able to, not able to + base form verb
Example
When the baseball pitcher was young, he was able to throw a baseball at 160 kph.
- Present Perfect: perfect tense verb 'be' + able to' + base form verb
Example
She has been able to graduate after only three years. (shows that a noteworthy action was completed)
4.3.2 Lower Certainty
We use 'may be able to' or 'might be able to' to form a phrasal modal of lesser certainty. The negative forms are 'may not be able to' or 'might not be able to'.
Examples
They may be able to skate on the frozen pond if the ice is thick enough.
He might not be able to get a high enough salary to pay his rent in this city.
For the perfect tense, we use 'may have been able to' or 'might have been able to'.
Example
He may have been able to pass the driving test if he hadn't gone through a red light.
Exercise 1: Write the modals of ability in the following paragraphs.
In the past, the small California town of MacFarland wasn't exactly well-known. It was an agricultural town, with many of its residents being Mexican field workers. One day, however, a high school teacher, Jim White, was hired by the high school. He had coached high school running teams in the past, but he didn't really see much potential for running as a sport in this small rural town—at least at first. The students in the school had never been able to participate in sports before. They were too busy working in the fields.
But one day, he became aware of the amazing running ability of some of MacFarland's students. Some of the Mexican field workers were high school students. They would go to school in the morning, and then quickly run out to the fields after school to help their parents in the vegetable fields and fruit orchards. Because of this, they developed an amazing ability. They could run very fast over long distances, and they were able to do it in heat that could reach 40° Celsius (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit).
So, Coach White began to form a plan. He thought that these young runners might be able to form a winning running team. But he realized that the students may not be able to run after school. Their parents needed them to work in the fields. But while he thought that they may not have been able to practice after school, he was able to convince their parents to let them join the team.
At first, they did not do well, but eventually they realised that they could do this. They were able to develop confidence, and they practiced hard. The students from MacFarland were able to win against other schools that were famous for winning competitions. Eventually, this team from MacFarland was able to win the California State Track and Field Championship in running.
Exercise 2: Use the modals of probability in parentheses below and finish the sentence with your own ideas.
Nhập câu trả lời vào ô trống.
1. When I was a child, I (able to, not)
2. In elementary school, I (could)
3. When I was in high school, my family (able to)
4. When I got my first job, I (able to, not)
5. Right now (can, negative)
6. So far in my life, I (able to, perfect tense)
7. In the future, I (able to, might)
8. In the next year, I (able to, not)
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