TALK ABOUT PAST AND PRESENT ABILITIES

In this topic, we learn how to describe what we can do now and what we could do in the past. At A2 level, it is important to understand how to compare past and present abilities using the modal verbs can (present) and could (past). You will practice talking about your skills now and skills you had before (like when you were a child).

Examples:

Now I can speak English. When I was 10, I couldn’t speak it.
She can swim very well now, but last year she couldn’t swim.
When I was younger, I could run fast. Now I can’t run fast.

We also use time expressions like “when I was younger”, “last year”, and “now” to help show when the ability happened.

📚 GRAMMAR (with examples)

1. Present Ability: “can”

Use can to talk about things someone is able to do now.

I can drive a car.
She can speak three languages.
We can’t play the piano.

2. Past Ability: “could”

Use could to talk about abilities in the past.

When I was a child, I could climb trees.
He couldn’t read at age five.
They could swim when they were young.

3. Time Expressions

Use time words to show when something happened.

now, today, these days (for present)
when I was younger, in the past, last year, as a child (for past)

🗂️ VOCABULARY (10 words with definition)

Ability – The skill to do something well.
Skill – Something you learn and improve over time.
Learn – To get knowledge or a new skill.
Try – To make an effort to do something.
Improve – To get better at something.
Practice – To do something many times to get better.
Young – Not old; in early years of life.
Now – At this moment in time.
Before – At an earlier time.
Confident – Sure of your ability.

💬 USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

I can do it now.
I couldn’t do that before.
When I was younger, I could…
I wasn’t able to…
Now, I’m much better at…
I learned to… last year.
In the past, I had problems with…
I practiced and now I can…

✏️ SENTENCES

Positive Sentences

I can cook very well now.
She could read when she was four.
They can play guitar today.

Negative Sentences

I couldn’t ride a bike when I was young.
He can’t play basketball now.
They couldn’t swim last year.

Questions

Can you speak French now?
Could you play the piano as a child?
What could you do when you were younger?

Answers

Yes, I can speak French now.
No, I couldn’t play the piano when I was a child.
I could draw very well when I was 10.

🗣️ Long CONVERSATION

Laura: Can you play any instruments?
Ben: Yes, I can play the guitar now.
Laura: That’s great! Could you play when you were a child?
Ben: No, I couldn’t. I started learning last year.
Laura: And now you can play well?
Ben: Yes, I practice every day. At first, it was hard, but I didn’t give up.
Laura: I couldn’t play anything before, but I want to try the piano.
Ben: You should! It’s never too late to learn.

📖 Long READING

My name is Lisa. When I was a child, I couldn’t swim. I was afraid of the water. My friends could swim, but I stayed near the beach. At age 12, I decided to take swimming lessons. After a few weeks, I could swim a little. I continued to practice every summer.

Now I’m 20 years old, and I can swim very well. I can even swim in deep water and do different styles. I’m not afraid anymore. My past ability was limited, but I worked hard and improved.