Ability and asking for help
has the same form with every subject: , . The following verb is the base form without . Negate with or the fuller .
For a question put before the subject: It can ask about ability or make a request. A polite alternative is the useful chunk .
English does not need a separate verb for learned skills: can mean I know how to swim. identifies familiarity with a person, not an ability.
| Form | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Say you have the ability to swim. | ||
| Say you have the ability to swim. | ||
| Say a woman has the ability to sing. | ||
| Say a woman has the ability to sing. | ||
| Ask for help. | ||
| Ask for help. | ||
| Say you are unable to come today. | ||
| Say you are unable to come today. | ||
| Use the polite request chunk. | ||
| Use the polite request chunk. | ||
| Say Jack is a person you know. | ||
| Say Jack is a person you know. | ||
I can swim.Say you have the ability to swim.
She can sing.Say a woman has the ability to sing.
Can you help me?Ask for help.
I can’t come today.Say you are unable to come today.
Could you help me, please?Use the polite request chunk.
I know Jack.Say Jack is a person you know.
Practice 1/6 · Finding words
Notice the patterns
Tap the form described in this unit.
.
Say you have the ability to swim.
.
Say a woman has the ability to sing.
?
Ask for help.
.
Say you are unable to come today.
, ?
Use the polite request chunk.
.
Say Jack is a person you know.
Practice 2/6 · The right form
Choose the form
Choose the right word for the gap.
I can .
Say you have the ability to swim.
She sing.
Say a woman has the ability to sing.
you help me?
Ask for help.
I come today.
Say you are unable to come today.
Could you me, please?
Use the polite request chunk.
I Jack.
Say Jack is a person you know.
Practice 3/6 · Fill the gaps
Complete a short message
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
I can .
Say you have the ability to swim.
She sing.
Say a woman has the ability to sing.
you help me?
Ask for help.
I come today.
Say you are unable to come today.
Could you me, please?
Use the polite request chunk.
I Jack.
Say Jack is a person you know.
Practice 4/6 · Building sentences
Build useful sentences
Put the words in order.
Say you have the ability to swim.
Say a woman has the ability to sing.
Ask for help.
Say you are unable to come today.
Use the polite request chunk.
Say Jack is a person you know.
Practice 5/6 · In situations
What would you say?
Choose the right words for the situation.
Say you have the ability to swim.
You say:
Choose the form that fits this meaning and the English pattern explained in the unit.
Say you have the ability to swim.
You say:
Choose the form that fits this meaning and the English pattern explained in the unit.
Say a woman has the ability to sing.
You say:
Choose the form that fits this meaning and the English pattern explained in the unit.
Say a woman has the ability to sing.
You say:
Choose the form that fits this meaning and the English pattern explained in the unit.
Ask for help.
You say:
Choose the form that fits this meaning and the English pattern explained in the unit.
Ask for help.
You say:
Choose the form that fits this meaning and the English pattern explained in the unit.
Say you are unable to come today.
You say:
Choose the form that fits this meaning and the English pattern explained in the unit.
Say you are unable to come today.
You say:
Choose the form that fits this meaning and the English pattern explained in the unit.
Practice 6/6 · Matching
Connect messages and meanings
Match the pairs.
Unit complete
