Can, could, to be able to, to be allowed to

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2

CAN, COULD, TO BE ABLE TO, TO BE ALLOWED TO

CAN, COULD, TO BE ABLE TO & TO BE ALLOWED TO

De Engelse taal kent een aantal werkwoorden die we kunnen gebruiken voor situaties waarin we in het Nederlands “(zou) kunnen” of “(zou) mogen” gebruiken, namelijk:

• Can + hele werkwoord
• Could + hele werkwoord
• To be able to + hele werkwoord
• To be allowed to + hele werkwoord

CAN, COULD, TO BE ABLE TO & TO BE ALLOWED TO

We gaan het gebruik van deze werkwoorden bespreken. We maken hierbij onderscheid tussen de volgende categorieën:

1. (Zou) kunnen
   
2. (Zou) mogen
   
3. Een beleefde vraag stellen
   

(ZOU) KUNNEN

Wanneer we willen zeggen dat iets (niet) mogelijk is, gebruiken we can / can’t of could / couldn’t.

• It can become very hot in Africa (probable).
• It could become very hot tomorrow (possible).

Wanneer we willen zeggen dat iets niet mogelijk is, gebruiken we can’t of couldn't.

(ZOU) KUNNEN

Als we het vermogen, de vaardigheden of de mogelijkheden (niet) hebben om iets te doen, gebruiken we can / can’t, could / couldn’t of to be (un)able to.

• Can gebruiken we alleen in de present simple.
• Could gebruiken we zowel in de present als past simple.
• To be able to kunnen we met alle werkwoordstijden gebruiken.

(ZOU) KUNNEN

Als we het vermogen, de vaardigheden of de mogelijkheden (niet) hebben om iets te doen, gebruiken we can / can’t, could / couldn’t of to be (un)able to.

• I can help you.
• I could be of assistance.
• Luckily, we could help them with them with their homework.
• Tim was able to get us tickets to Metallica.

Als we het vermogen, de vaardigheden of de mogelijkheden niet hebben om iets te doen, gebruiken we can’t, couldn’t of to be unable to.

(ZOU) MOGEN

Om aan te geven dat we ergens (geen) toestemming voor hebben, gebruiken we can / can’t, could / couldn’t of to be (not)allowed to.

• Mum says I can stay until midnight.
• Mum said I could stay until midnight.
• Were you allowed to stay over at Jeremy’s house?
  

Om aan te geven dat we ergens geen toestemming voor hebben, gebruiken we can’t, couldn’t of to be not allowed to.

EEN BELEEFDE VRAAG STELLEN

Om (heel) beleefd te vragen of iets mag of kan, gebruiken we can of could, vaak in combinatie met please.

• Can I have some tea, please?
• Could I have some tea, please?

CAN, COULD, TO BE ABLE TO & TO BE ALLOWED TO

Write the phrases in brackets in their correct forms into the gaps.

1. We ___ the mountains yesterday, but today we can't. (can – to see)
   
2. Maybe the Smiths ___ a new house next year. (can – to build)
   
3. If you try hard, you ___ your examinations. (can – to pass)
   
4. When I was five, I ___. (not – can – to swim)
   
5. Dennis ___ the trumpet after four months. (can – to play)
   
6. Luke has passed his driving test, now he ___ a car. (can – to drive)
   
7. I ___ to him on the phone for three weeks last month. (not – can – to speak)
   
8. Alex ___ his homework when his desk is in such a mess. (not – can – to do)
   
9. They were so busy, they ___ me. (not – can – to text)
   
10. Lisa ___ her dress. She can wear it again. (can – to clean)
    

CAN, COULD, TO BE ABLE TO & TO BE ALLOWED TO

1. We could see the mountains yesterday, but today we can't.
   
2. Maybe the Smiths can build a new house next year.
   
3. If you try hard, you can pass your examinations.
   
4. When I was five, I couldn’t swim.
   
5. Dennis could play the trumpet after four months.
   
6. Luke has passed his driving test, now he can drive a car.
   
7. I couldn’t speak to him on the phone for three weeks last month.
   
8. Alex can’t do his homework when his desk is in such a mess.
   
9. They were so busy, they couldn’t text me.
   
10. Lisa can clean her dress. She can wear it again.

CAN, COULD, TO BE ABLE TO & TO BE ALLOWED TO

Complete the gaps with a form of can, could or to be able to.

1. Can you read this for me? I ___ see without my glasses.
2. I ___ never ___ speak Spanish as well as my brother.
3. After 2 years in China, I ___ speak Mandarin quite fluently.
4. I hate that I ___ understand my French neighbours.
5. When he was 40, he ___ speak six languages.
6. After 6 hours climbing, we ___ reach the top of the mountain.
7. When I was a child I used to ___ stand on my head.
8. Yesterday I lost my keys and I looked for them everywhere, but I ___ find them.
9. Sally wasn't at home, but I ___ contact her at her office.
10. If you tell him your problem he might ___ help you.

CAN, COULD, TO BE ABLE TO & TO BE ALLOWED TO

1. Can you read this for me? I can’t see without my glasses.
2. I was never able to speak Spanish as well as my brother.
3. After 2 years in China, I can speak Mandarin quite fluently.
4. I hate that I can’t understand my French neighbours.
5. When he was 40, he could speak six languages.
6. After 6 hours climbing, we were able to reach the top of the mountain.
7. When I was a child I used to be able to stand on my head.
8. Yesterday I lost my keys and I looked for them everywhere, but I couldn’t find them.
9. Sally wasn't at home, but I could contact her at her office.
10. If you tell him your problem he might be able to help you.