What is can you? Modal verb can. Negative and interrogative sentences with the verb Can. How sentences are constructed with the modal verb can

Add to favorites

Video lesson: Modal verb could in English

In English could in combination with the infinitive of the main verb (without the particle to!) it is also used as a form of the subjunctive mood. In this case, when translating into Russian, most often could the particle “would” is added: could, could, could.

I could help you. - I could help you.

Possibility now or in the future

Modal verb could used to express the possibility of taking an action in the present or future. In other words, using could we can talk about possible actions that could happen now or in the future.

We could still win— the game isn’t over yet. - We could still win - the game is not over yet.

Could in this sentence it is used as a form of the subjunctive mood and expresses the possibility of performing an action “all is not lost, we can win, such a possibility exists.”

We can still win— the game isn’t over yet. - We can still win - the game is not over yet.

But in this case, the proposal with can will sound more categorical, more confident. In its turn, could is a less definite form than can. Could in general, softens the entire statement and at the same time expresses a lesser degree of confidence in the possibility of performing the action.

Thus:

We can still win— the game isn’t over yet. - We can still win - the game is not over yet.
The proposal sounds more categorical; we are more confident in the possibility of winning.

We could still win— the game isn’t over yet. - We could still win - the game is not over yet.
The sentence sounds softer, while using could brings a tinge of uncertainty - we do not rule out that there is an opportunity to win, but we are less confident about it. Hence the particle “would” in Russian translation.

More examples:

I could do it now, if you like. “I could do it now if you want.”

What shall we do tomorrow? ~ Well, we could go to the cinema. - What will we do tomorrow? ~ Well, we could go to the cinema.

When you go to Paris next month, you could stay with Kate. ~ Yes, I suppose I could. — When you go to Paris next month, you could stay with Kate. ~ Yes, I think I could.

Please note that using could in these sentences we do not simply express a real-life opportunity, we propose “to do something; go to the cinema; stay with Kate."

Together with could you can often find the adverb easily(easy, very likely, quite likely), which allows you to highlight a real opportunity.

Also note that it is not always could in this case, you can translate it into Russian using the past tense and the particle “would”, since in Russian it may sound unnatural and slightly distort the meaning.

You could easily lose your way in the dark. “You can easily lose your way in the dark.”
In a situation like this, anything could happen. “Anything can happen in such a situation.”

In this case, we are simply saying that this is quite possible, but at the same time the proposals sound less confident and not as categorical as they would have sounded with can. If you use can, it will mean that the speaker is confident that you can get lost in the dark and that in such a situation anything can happen; for the speaker this is a kind of “fact, a well-known truth.” C could we only admit the possibility that this can happen.
In this meaning could used with without particle to(verbs in all dictionaries are represented by a simple infinitive form: speak, read, lose, fall, go and etc.).

Suggestions, requests, permission

Using a modal verb could In English you can offer to do something, ask for something or ask permission.

Offers

Modal verb could we can use whenever we want invite someone to do something. At the same time, such a proposal with could will be somewhat vague in nature and sound unobtrusive than the same with.

We could write a letter to the manager. — We could write a letter to the manager.

I could help you with your homework. — I could help you with your homework.

I could invite you for a cup of coffee. — I could invite you for a cup of coffee.

We can write a letter to the manager. — We can write a letter to the manager.
I can help you with your homework. — I can help you with your homework.
I can invite you for a cup of coffee. — I can invite you for a cup of coffee.

Offers with can will sound more confident and categorical, whereas c could softer, but with less confidence. It will be more of a hint that you could do something.

Requests

In English could also used to express a polite request. That is, we can use could, to politely ask someone to do something. Typically, a request is an interrogative sentence:

Could you help me with these boxes? — Could you help me with these boxes?
Could you open the window, please? — Could you open the window, please?
Could you lend me one thousand rubles until tomorrow? - Could you lend me a thousand rubles until tomorrow?

Usually this usage could more common in formal speech as it is a polite request. In an informal setting, when communicating with people you know well, the following is usually used:

Can you help me with these boxes? -Can you help me with these boxes?

Permission

Could also used to ask permission to do something. But at the same time, please note could not used to give or deny permission. In this case, if you want to allow or prohibit something, you can use a modal verb can.

Could I ask do you have a question? ~ Yes, of course you can. - Can I ask you a question? ~ Yes, of course you can. / Can I ask you a question? ~ Yes, of course you can.
(could- I ask permission; can- I give permission)

Could I leave early today? ~Sorry, but you can't. We have a lot of work to do. —Can I leave early today? ~ I'm sorry, but you can't. We have a lot of work to do. / Can I leave early today? ~ I'm sorry, but you can't. We have a lot of work to do.
(could- I ask permission; can't- I refuse permission)

Unlike the modal verb can, which is also used to ask permission, could is a more formal and polite form. Therefore, if we want to show respect to the interlocutor or simply be polite, then in this case we should choose could.

Assumption

Could can be used like modal verbs may And might and express guess with a hint of doubt and uncertainty. In this meaning could(as well as may With might) is used with and corresponds to the Russian “possibly, maybe”. In other words, using could we can make a guess:
Is it happening? - Is this happening now? ~ Possibly happening.
Will it happen? - It will happen? ~ It might happen.
In this case, the speaker thinks it is possible, but does not know for sure.

Note that it is not used in the meaning of guess.

Could + simple infinitive

Could + simple infinitive: refers to the present or future tense - “may be doing / happening” or “may be doing / happening.”

Where's Mike? ~ I don't know. He could be in the garden. - Where is Mike? ~ I don't know. Perhaps he is in the garden. / He may be in the garden.
In this sentence we make a guess as to where Mike is now. However, please note that I am not sure that he is in the garden, I am just guessing.

It could rain this evening, but I think it probably won’t. — It might rain this evening, but I think most likely not. / Maybe it will rain this evening, but I think most likely not.
In this sentence we assume that it will rain in the evening, but we are not very sure about it. Note that in this case we are making a guess about an action that may happen in the future.

This car could be my neighbor’s, but I’m not sure. — It might be my neighbor's car, but I'm not sure.

Could + continuous infinitive

Could + continuous infinitive: emphasizes the duration of the action - “perhaps doing / happening now.”

He could be sleeping now. “Perhaps he is sleeping now.”

Could + perfect infinitive

Could + perfect infinitive: action refers to the past - “may have done.”

Don't worry - they could have just forgotten to call. - Don't worry - maybe they just forgot to call. / Don't worry - they might just forget to call.
In this sentence, we make a guess about an action that could have happened in the past: perhaps they simply forgot, which is why they did not call.

Why didn’t he come to the party yesterday? ~He could have been too tired to go to the party. — Why didn’t he come to the party yesterday? ~ He might be too tired to go to the party.
In this sentence we also make an assumption about an action in the past: perhaps he was tired, so he did not come to the party.

Could have + III form of the verb: could have happened, but did not happen

Could in combination with the perfect infinitive is also used when we want to say that could have done something in the past, but didn’t:

I could have won the game but decided to let her win. “I could have won, but I decided to let her win.”
I could have won then, but I didn’t because I decided to let her win.

They could have taken a taxi home instead of walking and getting wet. “They could take a taxi home instead of walking and getting wet.”
They could have taken a taxi then, but did not.

He could have married any girl he wanted to. “He could have married any girl he wanted.”
He could have, but he didn't.

Thus, using could have + verb in III form, we are talking about something that could have happened in the past, but did not happen. At the same time, such sentences often contain a tinge of regret:

I could have been a doctor. - I could become a doctor.
She could have, but she didn't. Now I regret the missed opportunity.

Disapproval/Condemnation

Also using could have + verb in III form we can express disapproval or condemn an ​​action:

They could at least have said they were sorry. “At least they could have said they were sorry.”
The proposal refers to the past: they could, but they didn’t, and I don’t approve of it.

You could have told me you were getting married. “You could have told me you were getting married.”
The sentence refers to the past: I could have said it, but I didn’t, and I don’t like it.

If you use could combined with a simple infinitive, the action will refer to the present:

You could at least say that you are sorry. “You could at least say that you’re sorry.”
Could here expresses disapproval, while the action relates to the present, so there is still a possibility that you will say it, although I doubt it.

Expression How could you / she / he / they ...? often used to show that you do not approve of someone's behavior:

How could you be so cruel! - How can you be so cruel!

How could you have gone without telling me? - How could you leave without telling me?
This sentence uses the perfect infinitive, so

This usage could is more typical for colloquial speech.

Also in colloquial speech could with words expressing emotions, conveys desire, the inclination “ready / was ready.” In this case, we focus on the feelings that we experience or have experienced, slightly exaggerating:

I'm so tired I could sleep for a week. “I’m so tired that I could sleep for a week.”
Action refers to the present.

I was so angry could have killed her. “I was so angry that I was ready to kill her.” / I was so angry that I could have killed her.
The action refers to the past.

In this way, we emphasize how strong the emotions we experience or have experienced.

Doubt. Astonishment

In negative sentences could expresses doubt, mistrust and corresponds to Russian “It can’t be that... / Incredible...”. In this case could used similarly. Moreover, in this meaning one can more often find precisely can. note that could in this case it can be used with different types of infinitive.

She must have made a mistake. It couldn't be true. “She must have made a mistake.” This can't be true.
I'm sure this can't be true. The proposal applies to the present.

A firework couldn't have done all that damage. “There's no way the fireworks caused all this damage.” / Fireworks couldn't have done all this damage.
I'm sure this is impossible. In this sentence the action refers to the past.

He couldn't be lying to us. He is an honest man. “It can’t be that he’s lying to us now.” He is an honest man.
In this sentence, the long infinitive is used to emphasize the duration of the action.

He couldn't have taken the money. - It’s impossible that he took this money. / He couldn’t take this money.
The action refers to the past.

In all of these sentences, the speaker is absolutely sure that something is impossible or extremely unlikely.

In interrogative sentences could with different forms of the infinitive, like can, Maybe express surprise mixed with doubt and correspond to Russian “Really?”. Wherein could, Unlike can, expresses a great degree of doubt.

Could it be true? - Is that really true?

Could he be still sleeping? - Is he still sleeping?

Could he have said it? - Did he really say that?

Everything you need to know about the modal verb 'Can':

— translation, transcription and pronunciation;
- features of the modal verb;
— ‘Can’ in the present, past and future;
- ‘Can’ in negative and interrogative form;
- use of the verb 'Can' - rules and examples;

The modal verb ‘Can’ is translated into Russian: I can, I can, I can handle it, it’s possible.

Transcription: 'Can' - .
In sentences, the sound 'a' is swallowed and pronounced as - kn - kn.

Pronunciation of 'Can'

Features of the modal verb 'Can'

1. There is no particle - to - between the verb 'can' and another verb

He can go shopping tomorrow. X

2. There is no ending - s - at the end of the verb 'can'

He can't go shopping tomorrow. X
He can go shopping tomorrow. Correct option.

3. At the end of the second verb, the ending -s- is also not placed.

He can go shopping tomorrow. X
He can go shopping tomorrow. Correct option.

4. The ing form is not used.

He can't swim. X
He can swim. Correct option.

5. Not used in the future tense with the auxiliary verb will.

I will can help you. X
I can help you. Correct option.

6. The interrogative form is formed without an auxiliary verb - Do -

Do you can walk? X
Can you walk? Correct option.

7. The negative form is formed using the particle not, it is placed after the modal verb.

She does not sing. X
She can't sing. Correct option.

Forms of the verb 'Can' - present, future and past tense

PRESENT - I can walk. I can walk.
PAST - I could walk. I could walk.
FUTURE - I will be able to walk. I'll be able to walk.

'Can' in negative form

Can’t - can’t - I can’t.
You can’t - you can’t.
She/he can’t - she/he cannot.
They/we/ - they/we cannot.

I can't believe it. I can not believe.
He can't stay long. He can't stay long.
She can't jump. She can't jump.

'Can' in interrogative form

Can I ask you? Can I ask you? Can I ask you something?
Can she write me? Can she text me? Can she write to you?
Can he meet me? Can he meet me?

Use of the verb 'Can'

1. When we have the skill/ability to do something:

I can drive a car. I can drive a car.
He can't speak Japanese. He can't speak Japanese.
Can you cook? Can you cook?

2. When to ask permission:

Can I go for a walk? Can I go for a walk?
Can I come in? Can I come in?
Can I come today? Can I come today?

3. When to ask for something:

Can I have some more coffee? Can I get some more coffee?
Can I use your tablet? Can I use your tablet?
Can you call me back? Can you call me back?
Can you send me your photo? Can you send me your picture?

4. When to get permission:

You can take this bike. You can take this bicycle.
You can do what you want. You can do whatever you like.

Sentences with Can + be construction

Yes, it can be confusing.
Yes, it can be confusing.

English can be strange.
English can be strange.

This can't be true.
It can not be true.

This can be real.
This could be real.

The world can be better.
The world could be a better place.

I can be a super friend.
I can be a very good friend.

Modal verb can translated means to be able, to be able, to be able, to be able, to have the right. This verb has two forms: can for the present tense and could for the past and for the formation of conditional sentences of the II and III types.

Sally can dance well.

As a child sally could dance well.

If only I could dance well I"d take part in this dancing competition.

In present time can has no conjugation forms, that is, it does not change form depending on the person and number:

The verb can and could forms negation and question independently without the participation of auxiliary verbs:

Use of the modal verb can.

Modal verb can used to express

• Physical or mental ability:

Sandy can speak Japanese well.

Fred can drive a car.

At the age of 13 Greg could speak Spanish well.

Sometimes in such cases the construction be able to is used.

• Possibilities, due to circumstances or existing rules and laws:

Fred can hardly blame Sally for what has happened.

In old days man could be sentenced to death for even a small crime.

• Theoretical possibility:

Medicine can be greatly improved in the future.

• Permissions (along with ):

The teacher says we can go home.

Now Mike can go.

Recently, there has been a trend in grammar towards the increased use of can (rather than may) to express permission.

• The negative forms can’t and couldn’t are used to express prohibition and are translated as impossible, not necessary.

You can't cross the street here. – You can’t cross the street here.

• Can and could are used to express a request or request. Could is considered a more polite way to ask for a favor. Can is used in a less formal setting, among acquaintances and friends.

Can you hold on a minute? (to a friend)

Could you hold on a minute, please? (to you boss)

• Can and could are also used to express probability. Can expresses a greater degree of probability than could.

Helen can be at the library. – Helen is probably in the library. (The speaker is almost sure of this.)

Helen could be at the library. “Perhaps Helen is in the library.” (The speaker is not sure about this.)

Be sure to read more about the use of can and other modal verbs for .

• Can is also used in some fixed expressions:

Can't help doing smth. – it’s impossible to resist doing something

When Molly learned about the accident she couldn’t help crying. “When Molly found out about the accident, she couldn’t help but cry.

Can’t but do - it’s not possible not...

I can’t but agree with Fred’s ideas. – I can’t help but agree with Fred’s ideas.

Can’t but wonder - it’s impossible not to think

Every day Helen can"t but wonder where she went wrong? - Every day Helen wondered where she made a mistake.

As can be - an expression used to strengthen a phrase

They are as rich as can be. -They are incredibly rich.

10 example sentences with can.

I offer you 10 example sentences that use the modal verb can. Sentences are given with translation into Russian. The rule according to which the modal verb can was used is indicated in brackets.

1. I can hear his feet on the stairs. — I hear the sound of his steps on the steps. (Physical ability)
2. If I pay attention, I can learn anything. – If I pay attention, I can learn anything. (Mental ability)
3. We can take eight to ten children in each van. – We can put eight to ten children in each carriage. (Possibility, due to circumstances)
4. Thank God I can still walk without help. – Thank God, I can still walk on my own. (Physical ability)
5. Can you give me your book for today? – Can you give me a book for today? (Request for help)
6. Can I carry these heavy suitcases for you? - Let me help you carry these heavy suitcases. (Help offer)
7. Bob can"t be telling lies. - It cannot be that Bob is lying. (Probability)
8. Who can run fastest? – Who runs the fastest? (Physical ability)
9. You can choose any dress you want. – You can choose any dress. (Permission)
10. The little girl can read and write – The little girl can read and write. (Mental ability)

Can and its past form could are practically the most frequently used modal. It is found in literature, in the media, and in colloquial speech. If we compare the frequency of use of can and could, it becomes clear that can is much more common. This is due to the fact that in colloquial speech and literature events occur mainly in the present tense, which means that can will be used in the meaning of physical possibility. Let's look at the grammatical features of these modal verbs and the features of their use.

Grammatical features of can and could

Like most modals, can/could are used without the to particle after them, that is, with the so-called “bare” or bare infinitive. The use of to after these modals is one of the most gross and cartoonish mistakes. This is equivalent to saying “he haves” instead of the grammatically correct “ ”. There are not so many modals that require a piece of the infinitive after themselves and they can be easily remembered. According to the general rule, to is not placed after modal verbs:

• I can do this of course, but you should be careful and take care of yourself - Of course, I can do this, but you should be careful and take care of yourself.
• Who can translate this text into Spanish? — I can, I am a translator but with little practice. — Who can translate this text into Spanish? — I can, I’m a translator, but I have little experience.
• Could you help me with this luggage? It’s too heavy and I have just had a surgery and not allowed to lift heavy things – Could you help me with my luggage? He is very heavy. And I just recently came out of surgery and I can’t lift weights.

In all three examples it is clear that after can/could there is a verb immediately without an infinitive particle.

The next feature, more related to can, is that this verb has the past tense form - could. It is used not only directly in the past tense, but also in sentences with speech agreement, as well as in conditional sentences.

• I could do it when I was younger, but I am not twenty now and even not thirty, you should admit. “I could do this when I was younger.” But I’m no longer twenty, or even thirty, as you must have noticed.

In this case, the speaker refers his speech to the past, when he could have performed a certain action. Here we simply use could in the basic meaning - the physical ability to do something in the past tense and nothing more.

• The doctor said that they could swim if they want to but not for long distances - The doctor said that they can swim if they want, but long distances must be avoided.

Here is a sentence that has obviously been translated from direct speech to indirect speech. According to the rule of tense agreement, can should have passed into the past tense, namely, become could due to the fact that in the first part of the sentence there is said - an indicator of the need for agreement.

In interrogative and negative sentences, can/could are used without auxiliary verbs and themselves take their place in sentences:

• Can we get out of here? I don’t like this place, I am scared and I don;t believe this woman, she looks strange – Can we get out of here? I don't like this place, I'm scared and I don't trust this woman. She looks strange.
• I can’t tell you the truth just because I don’t know all the details, I am not the person to be asked for truth in this matter – I can’t tell you the truth because I don’t know all the details. I am not the right person to ask about the truth regarding this situation.

In the first sentence in the question, can has taken the place of the auxiliary verb in the general question. And in the second case, it also stands where, according to the meaning, there should be an auxiliary with a negative particle not. These are reflections of the history of the development of modals, when auxiliary verbs had not yet appeared in the form as we know them, but modals already existed and were used. In order to emphasize the special status of most modals, later they began to be used without auxiliary verbs.

Can does not have a future tense form. This means that to denote a possibility in the future, the equivalent of to be able to is used:

• I will be able to read this book in English in a year I suppose - I think I can read this book in English.

Also, the modals can/could do not change across faces. That is, they use only one form:

• We can sing, she can sing, but you – you can’t at all – We can sing, she can sing, but you – you can’t at all.

Using can/could in different situations

As stated above, can, as a basic rule, denotes the physical or mental ability to do something. That is, this is what a person can do based on his own strengths and skills. This rule is best illustrated by cases for denoting physical possibility:

• I can swim well, don’t be afraid – I can swim, don’t worry.

The second case is a general possibility or probability, something that is easy to assume from the available facts.

• She can be there, it’s quite her style – to vanish in some hidden nook for a couple of days – She can be there, it’s like her to disappear for a couple of days and sit in some secluded corner.

The third is not a specific, but a theoretical possibility. Sentences of this type are familiar to everyone from school:

• You can see a lot of pictures in the museum – In the museum you can see a lot of paintings.

Can is often used in questions expressing a request. By the way, in negations that mean refusal, only can is used, as can be seen from the following example:

• Can I come in? - No, you can’t, I am too busy. - Can I come in? - No, you can’t, I’m very busy.

can has an equivalent - may. But even to a question that begins with may, the answer will still be can’t. This question is more formal and polite than the can option.

• May I take this cake? - No, you can’t. It's for guests. —Can I have some cake? - No, you can’t, this is for guests.

Could, as opposed to can, is used either as a more polite option or to express an action in the past. To indicate reproach, could + have +V3 is used:

• Look what you did! You could have been more careful! - Look what you've done! You could be more careful!

Often verb Can causes controversy over whether it is a regular or irregular verb. It cannot be completely classified as “incorrect,” but it cannot be called correct either, because at all times it has its own form. We remember that irregular verbs of the English language are special words in the English language that have their own form for the past tense. Is Can an irregular verb or a regular verb in English?

However, Can is a modal verb and also acts as an auxiliary verb in some cases. What are English modal verbs? These words (Modal Verbs) differ from other verbs in that they do not denote actions or states, but only convey the speaker’s attitude to the action, which is expressed by the initial form (infinitive) of the verb. In combination with this infinitive, Modal Verbs form a complex verbal modal predicate.

Modal verbs are May, Must, Ought to, Should, etc. AND Can- one of them.

The verb we are considering means “to be able to, to be able to, to be able to, to be capable.” Eg:

• My father can play chess - My father can play chess.
• Can can you help me? - You can help me?
• Ic an help you right now. - I Can(able, able) to help you right now.

This modal verb has the following grammatical forms depending on the tense in which it is used:

• Past Simple: Could

I could not call you, because I was busy.- I couldn’t call you because I was busy.
Tom couldn’t come to us, because he caught a cold. Tom couldn’t come to us because he had a cold.

• Present Simple: Can

I can talk to him if you want. - I can talk to him if you want.
Can you come to me right now? -Can you come to me right now?

• Future Simple: Will be able

Tom will be able to help you if you ask him for it. - Tom will be able (will be able) to help you if you ask him about it.
Will you be able to finish that work till tomorrow? -Can you finish this work by tomorrow?

Negative form looks like this: Cannot (can"t), Could not (couldn"t), Won’t be able:

• I cannot find his telephone number. — I can't find his phone number.
• Alex could not answer the call, because he wasn’t in the room. — Alex couldn’t answer the call because he wasn’t in the room.
• He won’t be able to help us, because he’ll be absent. “He won’t be able to help us because he’ll be away.”

Interrogative form: Can I? Could I? Will I be able?

• Can you show me the way to the forest? -Can you show me the way to the forest?
• Could I help you with your task yesterday? — Could I help you with the task yesterday?
• Will you be able to come to my party on Friday? -Can you come to my party on Friday?

And finally interrogative-negative form: Can I not (can"t I)?, Could I not (couldn"t I)? Won't I be able?

• Can't you listen to me? - Could you listen to me?
• Couldn't Tom know that? “Couldn’t Tom have known about this?”
• Won't you be able to help me with this? -Can you help me with this?

So, is this a regular verb? Of course not. There is no doubt that it is incorrect, because in each time it has its own form.
English modal verb can with translation (to be able; to be able).

Use of the verb Can in English

You, of course, remember that English grammar has frequent pitfalls. Interesting cases can be observed with the verb Can.

For example, the past tense form Could sometimes it has the meaning of present tense and future tense: the phrase “Could you help me?” can be translated as “Can you help me?”, as well as “Can you help me?” and even in the conditional mood “Could you help me?”

The same form Could is used in the conditional mood of the English language, in the second and third cases (Conditional of the 2nd and the 3rd case).

Note:

• If I could know that, I would prevent you.- If I could to know this, I would warn you.
• If he had known that, he could have helped us. - If he knew, he could would like to help us.

In this sentence could also acts as an auxiliary verb, instead of which there could be would, And should, And might, that is, e forms that are always present in the conditional mood.

The present tense form of the verb Can has the following meanings:

• Skill, ability to do something: Sue can cook a cake. — Sue can bake a cake. My father can play chess. — My father knows how to play chess.
• Permission (in this case, the verb Can replaces the verb May, which more often means permission, but in the colloquial form of the language it is customary to use Can): You can go home if you want. -You can go home if you want. Can I take your pencil? —Can I borrow your pencil?
• Opportunity: I can find all the mistakes in my dictation. — I can find all the mistakes in my dictation. I can show you the way. - I can show you the way.
• Surprise, doubt: Can it be real? - Could this be real? Can it be true that Tom went to Italy? — Could it be true that Tom went to Italy?
• In the meaning of the future tense: I can give you this newspaper tomorrow, if you want. - I can give you this newspaper tomorrow if you want. I can go with you to there the next week. - I can go there with you next week.

The form of the future tense, namely Will be able, indicates ability, possibility, permission, etc. in the future. For example:

• We will be able to ski and skate in winter.- We will be able to ski and skate in winter.
• You will be able to go home after our lesson. - You can go home after our lesson.
• You will be able to see the tall trees on the coast of California. — You can see tall trees on the California coast.

Form Be able can also be used in the present tense and mean action in the present tense. For example:

• I am able to write this dictation right now. - I can write this dictation right now.
• Tom is able to help you. - Tom can help you.

So, these are all forms of the English modal verb Can. This verb is irregular only judging by the forms for each tense. But from a grammatical point of view, this is a Modal Verb, since it often acts as an auxiliary verb.