'Can', 'could', 'be able to', 'manage to'

What language can you use when you're gossiping? Pippa and Phil talk about some office gossip, and our grammar guru Georgie explains language we can use when we're speculating about something which may or may not be true. Learn about reported speech, and how to use 'may' or 'migh ...  Show more

What did you know how to cook before you learnt properly? Maybe it was a simple cake, or you could boil an egg and put bread in a toaster! Pippa and Phil talk about how they learnt to cook, and our grammar guru Georgie explains how to use adverbs like 'finally', 'previously' and ...  Show more

Is it , I can do that...or, I’m able to do that. I could do that...or, I was able to do that. And what about, I’ll be able to do that? Today, it’s all about ability and possibility. Can and be able to are similar in meaning, but the way we use them is different. And that’s what w ...  Show more

When I was younger I could play the piano a lot better than I can now. You know? I'm glad I was able to tell you that. Knowing modal verbs like can and be able to is not only important for your everyday English conversation, but using this grammar correctly will give you an edge ...  Show more

Learn an English expression about skills we never forget.