O’zbekiston respublikasi ichki ishlar vazirligi akademiya

part A 
When I came home 
 
part B 
I was very tired 
 
You can begin with part A or part B. 
• When I came home, I was very tired. 
• I was very tired when I came home. 
 
We write comma (,) if part A is before part B: 
• When you are tired, don’t drive. 
•  Don’t drive when you are tired. 
 
Modals be able to,  might,  needn’t.    
 
be able to = can 
• I'm not able to visit you every day. 
• He hasn't been able to work recently. (can has no Present 
Perfect) 
• She might not be able to fly to London. (can has no infinitive) 
 
could and was able to: 
• Tom could play football very well. 

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- 128 - 
•
 She couldn't speak English. 
 
Use could before see, hear, smell, taste, feel, understand, remember: 
•
 He spoke so quickly that I couldn't understand him at all. 
•
 Though I was sitting in the last row, I could see the film well. 
 
was / were able to: 
•
 He didn't want to buy a new suit but at last we were able to 
persuade him. 
•
 She wasn't able to pass the exam. 
 
might = may:  
•
 He may be busy now. Or He might be busy now. 
•
 Jack may be in his office.  
•
 He might be having lunch. 
 
may not = might not (mightn't): 
•
 Ann might not know about it. (Perhaps she doesn’t know.) 
•
 Jack might not be ready for the exam. (Perhaps he is not ready.) 
 
Use might have done in the past: 
•
  Why didn't she answer the phone?  
She might have gone shopping. 
 
may have (done): 
•
 I can't find my key anywhere.  
• 
You may have lost it while you walked with your dog. 
 
needn't (do) = it’s not necessary to do something: 
•
 You've got plenty of time. You needn't hurry.  
•
 I can hear you quite clearly. You needn't shout.  
 
needn't = don't / doesn't need to: 
•
 You've got plenty of time. You don't need to hurry. 
 
Always say ‘don't need to hurry’ (not “needn't hurry”). 
 
needn't have (done) 
•
 Tom needn't have hurried (because the train has not arrived yet; 
it’s being late). 

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- 129 - 
•
 Ann bought some eggs but when she got home she found that she 
already had plenty of eggs. So she needn't have bought any 
eggs. 
•
 Thank you for doing the washing-up but you needn't have done 
it really. I was going to do it later. 
 
Didn't need to (didn't have to)  
•
 I didn't need to go, so I didn't go. 
•
 I didn't need to go but I decided to go anyway. 
 
EXERCISES 
 
8.4. Use 
can
 or 
be able to
: 
 
1. Jane …………… cook well. She is good at cooking. 
2. I ……………… play football when my foot is better. 
3. I used to ………………….. understand his lessons. 
4. He ………………… finish this work by six o’clock. 
5. I can’t swim. I’ve never ……………… swim. 
 
8.5. Answer the questions. Use 
was / were able to:
 
 
1. Did they buy tickets for the concert? – Yes it wasn’t easy but 
they ……………. buy them. 
2. You were going to see the British Museum. Did you find the 
way? – Yes. It was difficult but I ………………….. find it. 
3. Did you interview that witness? – Yes. It took much time to find 
him but I …………………. do it.