NI1 - Unit 4A: modals of ability and possibility

This lesson has a very important point of grammar: MODALS. The first thing we have to bear in mind is that a modal is a form used to express the way that the action is done. In this case we work with CAN for ability and possibility, so look at the examples:

• I can drive quite well  ---  Sé conducir bastante bien (ability)
• If you are tired, I can drive for a while  ---  Si estás cansada, yo puedo conducir un rato (possibility or offer)

The problem with CAN is that it has other characteristics:

• it's an auxiliary so you use it for interrogative and negative forms
• it's a defective verb so it has no infinitive or past participle forms; if you need these tenses, you must used the verb TO BE ABLE TO + infinitive: 
• I've been able to drive since I was 20 --- Sé conducir desde los 20 años
• I've never been able to drive  --- Nunca he podido conducir
• I'd like to be able to ride a bike --- Me encantaría saber montar en moto 

Another important point of grammar is the use of -ING or -ED in adjectives. Remember we said it has a different meaning, sometimes the same as in Spanish:

• The book is interesting so I'm interested in it: El libro es interesante así que estoy interesada en el. The form -ING is active while the form -ED is passive; other grammars say that -ING is connected to things and situations while -ED deals with people's feelings.

If you want to practise with this or learn more, here you are some exercises with explanations about the topic: exercise 1   exercise 2   exercise 3

Here you are the video about Alex Rawling and why he speaks 11 languages: click here

For the reflexive pronouns, you have this exercise; click here