How to ask about someone’s ability
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
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To ask if someone has the power or skill to do something, can, could, or be able are used.
Examples:
- Can you play guitar?
- Can they come here tomorrow?
- Could she speak German when she was in Frankfurt?
- Were they able to climb the mountain?
- Could you do the math test yesterday?
How to express ability
To express that someone has the power or skill to do something, can and bo ablo are used.
Examples:
- I can’t help you.
- I am busy.
- I’m unable to help you.
- When I was young I was able to earn my living pretty well, I could work hard. Now I can’t. I’m too old.
- I can stand on my head for five minutes.
- Can you speak Arabic? Yes, I can.
Expressing ability
In the present :
Express ability in the present as follows:
- I can speak good English.
- I can’t stand on my head.
In the past :
Express ability in the past as follows:
- I was unable to visit him.
- I couldn’t eat at all when I was ill.
In the future :
Express ability in the future as follows:
- I will be able to buy a house when I get a good job.
- The teacher can assist you after class if you have any questions.
Things to remember:
Can is always followed by an infinitive without “to."
Examples:
- I can ride my bike and I can drive a car, but I can’t drive a lorry.
Can in the past is was able or could
Examples:
- When I was young I was able to earn my living pretty well. Now I can’t; I’m too old. I couldn't t hear what he was saying.
Can in the future is will be able.
Example:
- When I finish my studies, I will be able to find a job.
- Hafiz can climb trees very well.
climbing a three
- One day, when he was feeling very energetic, he was able to climb the tree.
Asking about ability or inability:
Examples:
- Can your father cook? Can you listen to native speakers and understand every single word?
- Will she be able to adapt herself?
- Do you think he’ll be able to do his assignment?
Expressing ability:
Examples:
- She can swim well.
- I’ll do what I can to help you.
- When he was little he could ride a horse.
- When my mother was young, she could play volleyball like a professional.
- They can lift the box because they work together.
Swiming
Examples:
- You should ...
- Let’s ...
- We don’t we ...
- We could ...
- What about ....
- How about....
- I suggest that ...
- You might want to change ...
- I think ...
- I don’t think ...
Suggestions can be used in the form of solutions, suggestions, plans and ideas. For example your friend is in trouble can not English subjects then you can suggest him to follow the English course.
Example of using Suggestions in sentences:
- Why don’t you do your homework before going out?
- Let’s go the library.
- We could eat at home today.
- What about eating at new place ?
- I think you should go and meet her.
- In addition to some phrases in giving suggestions or suggestions, will be studied responses or respondents in giving a suggestion because of the possibility of the person refusing or accept suggestions.
Agreeing Respond Suggestions:
- Yes, it’s a great idea.
- I agree with you.
- That sounds great.
- Yes, let’s do that/it.
- That’s right.
- OK!
- I think so
Declining Respond Suggestions:
- No, I don’t think so.
- I disagree with you.
- That’s not a good idea.
- I understand your point, but I think...
Example:
Fina : Morning Ayu, my best friend. You look bad today, what happened to you?Ayu : Oh, it is only a little problems.Fina : Please, tell me. Maybe I can give the solutionsAyu : Ok. I feel sad because I do not have money to pay for the college tuitions. I have used my money to buy a new motorcycleFina : Oh. You should tell your parents if you have no money. I think they will help you?Ayu : I do not think so, it only will make something worse.Fina : You can lend money from someone.Ayu : that’s good idea
Rules and Obligation
Rules and obligation is an expression in English that is used to express an obligation. In
real life, obligation often appears in everyday conversation. Here is an example of the use
of obligation in the school environment.
Examples:
- We must not be late to school.
- We must come on time to class and to the flag ceremony.
- If we are late, we must wait outside the gate.
- We must not come in until the security guard gives us permission.
- We must sign a paper before we come to class.
- If we cannot come on time for any reason, we must hand in a notice from our parents to the principal. My friend and I know very well that we must not noisy.
- We must respect our friends who are working seriously.
- We must not chat and talk very loudly in class.
- We must keep our voice low. We must not play around.
- We must work at our desks most of the time.
The word “must" has the meaning in “Bahasa Indonesia” is “harus”. The use of the word must is more likely to be an obligation to be done. But the word must not meaningful in “Bahasa Indonesia” is “dilarang” not “tidak harus”. For more details, let’s look at the following example.
I have to help you = I have to help you
I can not help you = I’m helping you out
