FormĪfter can/can't and could/couldn't we use the infinitive without to. The bushmen managed to live happily in their natural environment for at least 20,000 years. If something is very difficult to do or is very successful, we often use the verb manage to instead of a modal verb. However, in negative statements and questions about single events, we can use could or be able to.Ĭould you talk to the bushmen? Were you able to talk to the bushmen? NOT: Our guide couldshow us the caves where the bushmen lived. Our guide was able to show us the caves where the bushmen lived. They were able to survive without fresh water for three weeks.įor a single event in the past, we use be able to (not could)in positive statements. To talk about ability in the past, we use could or be able to.Ģ0 years ago, the Kalahari bushmen could make fire without matches. They are able to close their noses to keep out the sand. Can and be able to mean the same, but we often use be able to when something is surprising or unusual.Ĭamels can carry up to 600 pounds on their backs. We use can or be able to for saying that somebody or something has the ability to do something.
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