1. Exploring Grammar in Context
Kiwan Sung
Kyung Hee University

2. Part B Modals in Context
Unit 6 Can & Could
Part B Modals in Context

3. Modals(Definition) Modals -Auxiliary verbs -Helping verbs
-Expand meaning of verb with Modal + Verb(root)
Ex) can/could, will/would, may/might/must
shall/should
-Quasi modals: have pp, ought to, seem to, be to, etc

4. Modals could/can/can’t -Possibility
Ex) Well, it could be that she just didn’t like fish.
-Capacity or ability
Ex) Could you bend a ball like Becham?
-Impossibility
Ex) It’s a total nonsense. I mean it just can’t be true.

5. Modals Can/could (be able to): Express (in)ability
Ex) She can persuade the boss for this project.
Ex) I can’t drive well in a crowded city. (=be unable to)
Cf) Use ‘were able to’ instead of ‘could’ in the past!!!
Ex) The thieves escaped, but the police were able to (could) arrest them eventually.
Cf) The thieves escaped, but the police couldn’t find them. (o)

6. Modals Could: Expressing probability (logical impossibility)
Ex) I could read a book when I was five. (expression of possible ability)
When you are in SF, you could drop by to
see us. (hypothetical future.)
Use ‘can’ when there is real possibility (more possible)
Ex) When you are in SF, you can drop by to

7. Modals Do not use ‘can’ when you talk about “possibility/probability)
Ex) I haven’t seen Jane all day but she could (can) be in the lab.
‘Can’t’ is use for a logical impossibility
Ex) She can’t be there. I just saw her at the movie theater.
As for possibility/probability, ‘can’ is never used but ‘can’t’ is!!!

8. Modals
However, ‘can/could’ is used to mean ‘ have the potential to be’, ‘sometimes’, or ‘often’
Ex) Peanuts can (be able to)cause allergic reactions.
Our new computer network is able to deliver solutions to most of your communication problems.

9. Modals ‘can’t’ in idiomatic expressions
I can’t help smiling at my mistake.
I can’t say I know him well.
You can’t tell apples from oranges!
She can’t make it out what went wrong.
Can/could as formal-informal
-Could I have a cup of coffee, please?
Can I have a cup of coffee, please?
Can I have a cup of coffee?
Coffee, please.