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Grammar Exercises💡 Modal VerbsBe Able To
B1Modal Verbs

Be Able To

~2 min readUpdated October 7, 20260 practice exercises
English

Modal Verbs: Be Able To

🗺️ Grammar Map

Core Rules

Real-Life Usage

Common Mistakes

📖 1. The Core Rules & Patterns

Base ➔ Target
I am able to play the piano.
💡 Why: This form indicates capability in the present.
Base ➔ Target
They were able to finish the project.
💡 Why: This form indicates capability in the past.

🎯 2. Real-Life Usage Scenarios

At School

She is able to solve complex math problems.

💡 Why: Indicates her current capability in mathematics.

At Home

We were able to cook dinner together last night.

💡 Why: Refers to a past event of cooking.

⚠️ 3. Common Mistakes

❌ Incorrect

I can to play the guitar.

They was able to finish.

✅ Correct

I can play the guitar.

They were able to finish.

💡 Explanation: Remember to use the correct form of the verb "to be" and avoid unnecessary infinitives after modal verbs.

❓ 4. Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use "be able to" in all tenses?

Yes, "be able to" can be used in various tenses to indicate capability.

Is "can" the same as "be able to"?

Not exactly. "Can" is more informal and often used in present situations, while "be able to" is more formal and can be used in different tenses.

Other Modal Verbs lessons

Can / Can'tCouldShouldMustHave ToMay / MightWouldNeed / Needn'tUsed ToOught ToShall

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