Abilities and Possibilities

at Cornell University Library

Can you tell me the time?

What time is it?

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When we talk about abilities in English, we use two forms:

Can you tell me the time?
Are you able to tell me the time?

Look at some more:

Are you able to swim?
Can you swim?

Are you able to speak French?
Can you speak French?

Time and space are basic concepts. Events take place in space over a period of time. Time is expressed in periods or points. All sentences have a verb and all verbs are marked for time.

yesterday today tomorrow

before now later/later on

Present – Past – Future

I can – I could – I will be able to

I could means I was able to but I will be able to has no parallel form with I can.

I will can is an error!

I can speak English
I was able to speak English.

I could speak English.
I was able to speak English.

I will be able to speak English.
I will be able to do it after I finish my studies.

This page is still under construction

Coming Links

The Grammar Page
The Habit and routine Page
The Experience Page
Present Perfect Tense
The Frequency Page
The Tense Page
The Space Page
The Earth Page
The Hour Page
The Day Page
The Week Page
The Month Page
The Year Page
The Metaphor Page
The Possibilities and Abilities Page
The Mathematics Page

Listening Activity – The Time page – Time Phrases – Living Overseas

World English Course

There are lots of things you can learn in the World English Course. There is a place where you can talk about work and there is also a place where you can find a job and a place where you can find staff. There is a place where you can have fun and there is a place where you can talk about food or family. There is also a place where you can talk about money or love or philosophy. You can study anything you want anytime you want. You can do it once a week or every day or any time you like. Have fun! Work hard! Tell your friends and family members! Enjoy!