1. Can / be able to
• Can permet d'exprimer la capacité ou la possibilité. Can't, au contraire, exprime l'incapacité ou l'impossibilité.
• Au présent : can est invariable et toujours suivi de la base verbale.
I can play tennis but I can't surf. Can you teach me?
I can play tennis but I can't surf. Can you teach me?
• On peut utiliser également be able to. Il faut conjuguer be correctement !
I am able to play tennis but I'm not able to surf.
I am able to play tennis but I'm not able to surf.
• Au passé : can / can't → could / couldn't ; be able to → was / wasn't / were / weren't able to.
I could play tennis when I was young but I couldn't surf.
I was able to play tennis but I wasn't able to surf.
I could play tennis when I was young but I couldn't surf.
I was able to play tennis but I wasn't able to surf.
• Au futur : on utilise will be able to .
I will be able to play tennis but I won't be able to surf.
I will be able to play tennis but I won't be able to surf.
2. Must / have to
• Must permet d'exprimer l'obligation. Mustn't, au contraire, exprime l'interdiction. Ils n'existent qu'au présent.
• Au présent : must est invariable et toujours suivi de la base verbale. Il sert à exprimer des règles, des lois valables pour tout le monde.
We must cross the road at the zebra crossing. You mustn't drive over 50 km/h here.
We must cross the road at the zebra crossing. You mustn't drive over 50 km/h here.
• Have to permet d'exprimer une obligation ponctuelle ou personnelle.
You have to turn right to get to the cinema.
You have to turn right to get to the cinema.
• Don't have to exprime une absence d'obligation.
You don't have to play with her if you don't want to.
You don't have to play with her if you don't want to.
• Au prétérit : must → had to.
I had to stop at the traffic lights!
I had to stop at the traffic lights!
• Au futur : must → will have to.
I will have to stop at the traffic lights.
I will have to stop at the traffic lights.
Le sais-tu ?
Attention !
Can ne s'emploie pas au futur !Exercice n°1
Associe aux phrases suivantes le mot correspondant parmi can, can't, be able to, must, mustn't ou have to.
Fais glisser les étiquettes dans les zones prévues à cet effet.
can
mustn't
must
be able to
can't
have to
imcAnswer1?
permet d'exprimer une obligation au présent
imcAnswer2?
permet d'exprimer une capacité au présent
imcAnswer3?
permet d'exprimer une incapacité au présent
imcAnswer4?
permet d'exprimer une interdiction au présent
imcAnswer5?
est utilisé à la place de can au prétérit et au futur
imcAnswer6?
est utilisé à la place de must au prétérit et au futur
Exercice n°2
Exprime la capacité ou la possibilité.
Écris les réponses dans les zones colorées.
A. My sister is too young. She ride a bike yet.
B. My dad is a good driver. He drive very well.
C. My mum repair her car herself. She's a mechanic.
D. My parents travel a lot before. They had more time.
E. They climb to the top. It was too difficult.
Exercice n°3
Must ou have to ?
Écris les réponses dans les zones colorées.
A. You stop at the traffic lights. It's red.
B. You turn right at the traffic lights to get to the car park.
C. Pedestrians cross at the zebra crossing.
D. Drivers stop to let people cross the street.
E. I stop here. I'm too tired.
