English - Talking about Abilities

Lesson 72 of 139

Smiling learner practicing English phrases about abilities and skills.

Goal: Say what you can, can't, or want to try

Free English lessons with audio, guided practice, and speaking support.

Welcome! In this short lesson you'll hear useful phrases for talking about abilities in everyday life. Read or listen, then practice aloud — it's a friendly, low-pressure way to build confidence.

Have fun — try saying each phrase out loud. Repeating is the fastest way to make these phrases feel natural.

Level A2: This lesson focuses on everyday frames for talking about skills — what you can do, what you can't do yet, and when you want to try something new. You'll practice short useful phrases like "I haven't learned to ___ yet," "Let me try," and "I'm still learning to ___." (CEFR-aligned).

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Level A2: Learn and use short frames to describe skills and readiness.
  • Listen and repeat key phrases to build speaking confidence.
  • Use quizzes and matching exercises to lock in meaning and form.
Two friends talk about learning new skills and trying tasks, an English lesson on abilities.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

I haven't learned to ___ yet.

say that you have not acquired a skill yet

Meaning: Say that you have not acquired a skill yet.

When to use: Use this when you want to say you don't know how to do something now, but you might learn later.

Tip: Don't use this for single past events (use "haven't had time" for that).

I haven't learned to drive yet.
I haven't learned to drive yet.
I haven't learned to cook Thai food yet.
I haven't learned to cook Thai food yet.

I've never tried to ___.

say that you have no experience doing something

Meaning: Say that you have no experience doing something.

When to use: Use this to explain you've never tried an activity.

I've never tried skiing.
I've never tried skiing.
I've never tried public speaking.
I've never tried public speaking.

Let me try.

ask someone to let you attempt a task

Meaning: Ask someone to let you attempt a task.

When to use: Use this short phrase to offer to do something yourself.

Let me try the recipe.
Let me try the recipe.
Let me try to fix the lamp.
Let me try to fix the lamp.

I feel comfortable ___.

Express confidence or comfort with an ability

Meaning: Express confidence or comfort with an ability.

When to use: Use this to say you feel able and calm doing something.

Tip: Beginners sometimes say "I comfortable" — remember to use the verb 'feel.'

I feel comfortable driving in the city.
I feel comfortable driving in the city.
I feel comfortable giving short presentations.
I feel comfortable giving short presentations.

I'm not ready to ___ yet.

Express lack of confidence or readiness for an ability

Meaning: Express lack of confidence or readiness for an ability.

When to use: Use this when you need more time or practice before doing something.

I'm not ready to sing in public yet.
I'm not ready to sing in public yet.
I'm not ready to move to a new city yet.
I'm not ready to move to a new city yet.

I can ___ if someone helps me.

Say that you can do something with help

Meaning: Say that you can do something with help.

When to use: Use this to explain you can manage a task but need support.

Tip: Don't drop 'if someone helps me' if you mean you need help; otherwise it sounds fully independent.

I can fix the computer if someone helps me.
I can fix the computer if someone helps me.
I can cook the recipe if someone helps me chop the vegetables.
I can cook the recipe if someone helps me chop the vegetables.

I'm still learning to ___.

Say that an ability is still developing

Meaning: Say that an ability is still developing.

When to use: Use this to describe a skill you are practicing now.

I'm still learning to swim.
I'm still learning to swim.
I'm still learning to write emails in English.
I'm still learning to write emails in English.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna and David are at home trying to put together a small bookshelf.

Anna and David discuss whether to try a new activity and who will attempt it, practicing ability phrases in English.

Who offers to try the task?

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

I've never tried to assemble furniture.

I've never tried to assemble furniture.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

No problem. I feel comfortable reading the instructions.

I feel comfortable reading the instructions.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

I'm still learning to use the power screwdriver.

I'm still learning to use the power screwdriver.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Let me try. You can hold the pieces.

Let me try. You can hold the pieces.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Thanks. I can tighten some screws if someone helps me.

Thanks. I can tighten some screws if someone helps me.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase says you have no experience doing something?

Which phrase means you can do something but only with help?

Which phrase is a polite offer to attempt a job yourself?

If you want to show growing skill, which phrase fits?

I've never tried to ___.

I want to try surfing, but I have no experience: "______".

I'm still learning to ___.

After a few lessons, you can honestly say: "______ piano."

I'm not ready to ___ yet.

The climbing wall looks hard. You might say: "______ climbing."

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

I haven't learned to ___ yet.

say that you have not acquired a skill yet

Say this phrase out loud:

I've never tried to ___.

say that you have no experience doing something

Say this phrase out loud:

Let me try.

ask someone to let you attempt a task

Say this phrase out loud:

I feel comfortable ___.

express confidence or comfort with an ability

Say this phrase out loud:

I'm not ready to ___ yet.

express lack of confidence or readiness for an ability

Say this phrase out loud:

I can ___ if someone helps me.

say that you can do something with help

Say this phrase out loud:

I'm still learning to ___.

say that an ability is still developing