Complete the following sentences. Each question is followed by three suggested answers. Choose the most appropriate one.

1. I don’t think that I …………………………….. be able to come. (would / will / can)

Fill in the blanks with appropriate auxiliary verbs. Choose your answers from the options given in the brackets.

1.       When I was young, I …………………… run four miles at a stretch. (could / can / might)

Rewrite each of the following sentences using a modal auxiliary verb.

1. Possibly she isn’t John’s sister.

2. Perhaps we will visit them next week.

Both can and could are modal auxiliary verbs. Can is used to talk about present or general ability. Could is used to talk about ability that existed in the past.

Can
To express ability

Can is used to express present or general ability.

I can swim.
She can knit.
We can speak English.
Can you speak French?
She can draw beautiful pictures.

In Indirect Speech

Would is the past tense form of will in indirect speech.

In indirect speech

Should is the past tense of shall in indirect speech.