Overview of can, may, could and able to.

1. Modal Verbs
Polite Requests and
Abilities

2. Polite Requests with “I”
May I ... ?
Could I ... ?
May I (please) borrow your
pen?
Could I borrow your pen
(please)?
May I and Could I are used to request permission.
They are equally polite.

3. Polite Requests with “I”
Can I is used informally to request permission,
especially if the speaker is talking to someone
s/he knows well. Can is less polite than May I or
Could I.
Can I ... ? Can I borrow your pen?

4. Polite Requests with “You”
The meaning of would you and will you in a
polite request is the same. Would you is more
common and is often considered more polite..
Would You ... ?
Will you ... ?
Would you pass the salt
(please)?
Will you (please) pass the
salt?

6. Abilities
 To express that someone has the power or
skill to do something, can and be able are
used.
Can you…?
Are you able to…?
Can you play basketball?
Are you able to swim?

7. Questions About Abilities
 What can you do? Where did you learn
how to do it?
 What can’t you do?
 What do you hope you will be able to do
in 10 years?
 Ask your classmates a question with “can”

8. Can you…?
1 2
3 4

9. Are you able to…?
1 2
3 4

10. Match The Words
1. Juggle
2. Barbeque
3. Tango
4. Accordion
5. Whistle
6. Deck (of cards)
7. To Balance
A. To hold an object in the center and
keep it still.
B. An instrument with keys and buttons.
C. To keep (two or more objects) in the
air at one time by alternately tossing
and catching them.
D. To blow air out of your mouth in a
way that makes a loud, high-
pitched noise.
E. To cook food outside on a grill
F. A romantic dance that is popular in
Latin America.
G. A pack of 52 playing cards