Modal-Verbs-Can-and-Could
A clear printable reference guide to modal verbs: can and could, with examples and helpful form notes.
What’s in the worksheet?
- Clear explanation of meaning and form
- Useful example sentences
- One-page classroom reference
- Suitable for independent review
Use this one-page reference to distinguish present ability, past ability, permission and requests with can and could.
Worksheet preview
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Page 1 of 1 · A4 printable PDF
A simple way to teach it
Before the lesson
Choose an easy ability example and a classroom request to model. This sheet provides explanations and examples rather than an exercise or answer key.
- Compare I can swim with I could read at five, then separate ability from permission in Can I use your phone?
- Read the base-verb pattern and practise it without to. Use the hotel example to illustrate past ability to see something.
- Compare Can you pass the salt? and Could you pass the salt? as present requests, showing that could need not refer to past time.
Support and extension
Support with now / past / request labels. Extend by matching requests to friendly and more formal situations; present this as a focused introduction, not a complete guide to every use of could.
Suggested approach. Adjust the pace and number of questions to suit your class.
