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Modal verbs, can and could Exercises in English language
Modal verbs play a crucial role in English, helping to express ability, possibility, permission, and requests. Among these, "can" and "could" are particularly versatile and frequently used in both everyday conversations and formal contexts. Understanding how to use these modals correctly can significantly enhance your communication skills, making your speech and writing more precise and effective. Whether you're asking for help, offering suggestions, or discussing potential outcomes, mastering "can" and "could" will give you greater confidence and clarity.
"Can" is commonly used to indicate present ability, general truths, and informal requests or permissions. For example, "I can swim" shows an ability, while "Can I borrow your pen?" is a polite way to ask for permission. On the other hand, "could" serves as the past tense of "can" but also extends its use to more polite requests, suggestions, and hypothetical situations. For instance, "I could swim when I was younger" refers to a past ability, and "Could you help me with this?" is a courteous way to request assistance. By practicing the nuances of these modal verbs through targeted exercises, you'll be better equipped to use them accurately and effectively in various contexts.
Exercise 1
<p>1. She *can* swim very well (ability).</p>
<p>2. *Could* you pass me the salt, please? (polite request).</p>
<p>3. They *can* play the piano beautifully (ability).</p>
<p>4. When I was younger, I *could* run faster (past ability).</p>
<p>5. He *can* speak three languages fluently (ability).</p>
<p>6. *Could* you help me with my homework? (polite request).</p>
<p>7. She said she *could* come to the party (past possibility).</p>
<p>8. You *can* find the book in the library (possibility).</p>
<p>9. *Can* I borrow your car tonight? (request for permission).</p>
<p>10. If we had more time, we *could* visit the museum (hypothetical situation).</p>
Exercise 2
<p>1. She *can* play the piano very well (ability to do something).</p>
<p>2. When I was young, I *could* run very fast (past ability).</p>
<p>3. *Can* you help me with my homework? (request for help).</p>
<p>4. He said he *could* come to the party if he finished his work (conditional possibility).</p>
<p>5. I *can* speak three languages fluently (present ability).</p>
<p>6. *Could* you please pass me the salt? (polite request).</p>
<p>7. If I had more time, I *could* travel the world (hypothetical ability).</p>
<p>8. We *can* meet at the café at 3 PM (suggestion for a meeting).</p>
<p>9. She *could* have been a great artist if she had pursued her passion (unrealized past potential).</p>
<p>10. I *can* hear the birds singing outside (current sensory ability).</p>
Exercise 3
<p>1. *Can* you help me with my homework? (Request for assistance)</p>
<p>2. When I was younger, I *could* run very fast. (Ability in the past)</p>
<p>3. She *can* play the piano beautifully. (Present ability)</p>
<p>4. If you practice, you *can* improve your skills. (Possibility in the present or future)</p>
<p>5. When we were kids, we *could* stay up all night during sleepovers. (Past ability)</p>
<p>6. You *can* borrow my book if you want. (Permission)</p>
<p>7. I *could* hear the birds singing in the morning. (Past ability)</p>
<p>8. They *can* speak three languages fluently. (Present ability)</p>
<p>9. If you study hard, you *can* pass the exam. (Possibility in the present or future)</p>
<p>10. When I was a child, I *could* climb the tallest trees. (Past ability)</p>
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