Hello and welcome to six minute grammar with me, Katherine and Me.

Neil.

Hello.

In this programme, we're talking about mold of birds of ability.

Yes, we are will explain what they are.

We'll give you some useful tips on using them.

There'll be lots of examples.

And of course, we'll finish with a quiz.

So here we go.

First of all, what are mode?

ALS of ability?

Well, there are lots of different motive herbs, like most might and half do on dhe.

We use them together with main verbs to add meaning to what we say.

So in this program, we're talking about the motile verbs can and could.

We're looking at how we can use thes models with main verbs, toe add meaning related to ability, his mic with an example.

Humans can only live without water for 3 to 5 days, so that's can with the verb live to express ability on.

In this example, the ability is to live without water, and in this programme we're going to talk about ability with the phrase be able to plus a verb.

It's similar to can, but it's particularly useful when we're suggesting that something is a bit surprising, like this from Mike.

Humans can only live without water for 3 to 5 days.

However, they are able to live without food for up to three weeks.

Okay, in those examples were talking about ability in the present now for the past.

Yet the past and the past of can is.

Could we also use be able to in the past?

But, of course, it becomes was able to or were able to listen.

People in Asia could, right before people in Europe or people in Asia were able to write before people in Europe.

But sometimes you have to use be able to and not could on.

That's happens when we're talking about a single event in the past, not general ability.

Exactly Another example.

Please, Mike.

After climbing for six hours, they were able to reach the top of the mountain, and you can't use could in that example, because could is for general ability, not a single occasion like claiming one mountain.

But there is another verb that you can use in that last sentence.

Have listen.

After climbing for six hours, they managed to reach the top of the mountain.

Thank you, Mike.

We often use managed to with the verb for ability.

If something is very difficult to do or if something is very successful Exactly remember that Can incurred are always followed by the infinitive without two on there.

The same for all subject pronoun right, But be able to change is for different persons.

It's am is are able to for the present and waas were able to for the past six grand from BBC learning english dot com on We're looking at motive Herbs off ability.

Yes, we are.

And we've got a few extra tips for you today we have And the first tip is, you know, sense verbs like see, hear and smell on thirds of thinking like believe.

Understand On remember Well, we usually use can on do not be able to with those examples Please make I can't understand this question.

Good second tip when we have two main verbs together, we can't put can or could between them, for example, with the sentence I'd like to swim, it's okay to say I'd like to be able to swim, but it's not okay to say I'd like to can swim.

Oh, no, you can't say that.

That's that.

Sounds a bit strange.

Next tip.

There is also no present perfect form of can.

If we need the present perfect for ability, we use be able to an example, please.

He hasn't been ableto walk since the accident.

Thank you make.

And now a tip about managed to in the negative form we say can't manage to in the present, but it's couldn't manage to or didn't manage to in the past.

I can't manage to swim that far.

55 pies.

I can't manage to eat all those.

The men couldn't manage to lift the piano.

He didn't manage to get the grades he needed for university.

Okay, thank you, Mike.

And now it's quiz time when you managed to get three correct answers.

Let's see.

Are these sentences correct or incorrect?

Number one.

The Villagers were good hunters, but they couldn't grow crops on.

That's correct.

Well done.

Number to my phone wasn't working, but the receptionist could phone for a taxi on.

That's not correct.

Correct Sentence is the receptionist was able to phone for a taxi on number three.

I want to can do this on.

That's not correct.

Between two main verbs we have to use be able to sew.

The correct sentence is I want to be able to do this.

And that is the end of the quiz.

Congratulations if you manage to get them.

All right.

Yes, well done.

And there's more about this on our website at BBC Learning english dot com.

Join us again for more six minute grandma Bye bye six from the BBC.