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    EASY ENGLISH CAN VS TO BE ABLE TO

    Uploaded by

    Joseph Polo
    simple grammar for begginners

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    EASY ENGLISH CAN VS TO BE ABLE TO

    Uploaded by

    Joseph Polo
    0 views3 pages
    simple grammar for begginners

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

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    simple grammar for begginners

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    0 views3 pages

    EASY ENGLISH CAN VS TO BE ABLE TO

    Uploaded by

    Joseph Polo
    simple grammar for begginners

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 3

    CAN VS TO BE ABLE TO

    There is often some confusion about can and be able to, so let’s see if I can clear
    that up a bit for you.
    Can and be able to are often interchangeable and you can usually use either one
    without a difference in meaning. But not always.

    Can is a modal auxiliary verb that expresses general ability in the Present tense,
    or could for general ability in the Past tense.
    Be able to is not a modal auxiliary verb, it’s just the verb “be” + the adverb “able”
    + the infinitive “to”.
    Present Ability. We use both can and be able to, but can is much more common:

    James can speak three languages.

    James is able to speak three languages.

    Michelle can easily multitask.

    Michelle is able to easily multitask.

    Future Ability. We only use will be able to to talk about a future skill or ability that
    you don’t have yet, but you will have in the future. We never use can for an ability
    that you will only have in the future:

    When I finish training I will be able to run a 5 minute mile.


    ✘ When I finish training I can run a 5 minute mile.

    I will be able to see better when I get new glasses.


    ✘ I can see better when I get new glasses.

    We use either can or be able to when we are talking about decisions and future
    arrangements:

    The doctor can see you next Monday.

    The doctor is able to see you next Monday.

    I’m busy now, but I can help you in an hour.

    I’m busy now, but I’ll be able to help you in an hour.

    Mom can drive you to school tomorrow.

    Mom is able to drive you to school tomorrow.


    Past Ability. We use could or was/were able to to talk about an ability that existed
    for a long time in the past, but which isn’t true now:

    When I was young, I was able to eat like a pig and not get fat.

    When I was young, I could eat like a pig and not get fat.

    When I was a teenager, I could stay up all night without getting tired.

    When I was a teenager, I was able to stay up all night without getting tired.

    We only use was/were able to with action verbs to talk about an ability related to
    a single event:

    We were able to go sailing yesterday because the weather was so nice.


    ✘ We could go sailing yesterday because the weather was so nice.

    I was able to file my taxes online this year.


    ✘ I could file my taxes online this year.

    Yesterday we were able to get tickets for the concert.


    ✘ Yesterday we could get tickets for the concert.

    But we use either can or was/were able to with some stative verbs (see, hear, feel,
    taste) to talk about an ability related to a single event:

    Were you able to see the fireworks from your balcony last night?

    Could you see the fireworks from your balcony last night?

    I was able to taste the salt in her cooking.

    I could taste the salt in her cooking.

    Because I was sitting in the front row, I was able to hear the teacher clearly.

    Because I was sitting in the front row, I could hear the teacher clearly.

    1. We ______________ go to the party. We're going to a wedding.zd


    a. won't be able to
    b. will can't
    c. want be able to
    c. couldn't

    2. He __________ pass the exam if he studied harder.


    a. will be able to
    b. would be able to
    c. can
    3. I __________ remember his name.
    a. 'm not able to
    b. fish
    c. can't

    4. They ____________ go. The weather was too bad.


    a. can’t
    b. weren’t able to
    c. couldn’t

    5. Sorry, Teacher. I ____________ do it yet.


    a. haven't been able to
    b. couldn’t
    c. wasn’t able to

    6. She _____________ come on holiday next month if her parents give her
    permission.
    a. could
    b. 'll be able to
    c. can't

    7. The fishing boat sank but luckily all the crew ____________ save themselves.
    a. were able to
    b. could
    c. was able to

    8. A. Can you lend me some money?


    B: Sorry. I __________ . I haven't got any either.
    a. ‘m not able to
    b. couldn’t
    c. can’t

    9. Diana ________ the piano.


    a. can play
    b. eats
    c. can to play

    10. You'll be able to solve this, _________ ?


    a. can you
    b. won't you
    c. will you

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