Do you know the difference between \u2018can\u2019 and \u2018be able to\u2019? Well, to start with, \u2018can\u2019 is a modal verb, while \u2018be able to\u2019 is not. But what about usage? Let\u2019s have a look:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can play the guitar<\/em><\/p>
I am able to play the guitar.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Ability<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In these examples, they can be used in exactly the same way. And that is because, to all intents and purposes, \u2018can\u2019 and \u2018be able to\u2019 are both used, primarily, to express ability. Of course, both of these examples above are in the present tense, so matters get a little more complicated when we change that tense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the past<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The past form of \u2018can\u2019 is \u2018could\u2019. \u2018Be able to\u2019, because it is using the verb \u2018be\u2019, can be easily adapted into any tense. So, therefore,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I could play the guitar when I was younger.<\/em><\/p>
I was able to play the guitar when I was younger.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
So, again, when talking about ability in the past, \u2018could\u2019 and \u2018be able to\u2019 operate in the same way. But only if we are talking about general abilities. In the case of a single action, \u2018could\u2019 is not possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yesterday, I was able to meet lots of interesting people at the meeting.<\/em><\/p>
Yesterday, I could meet lots of interesting people at the meeting.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
However, if that single event involves a stative verb, then it would be possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yesterday, I was able to see the screen really clearly from where I was sitting.<\/em><\/p>
Yesterday, I could see the screen really clearly from where I was sitting<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n
In the future<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There is no future form of \u2018can\u2019 (\u2018will can\u2019 is an absolute impossibility). Therefore, if you want to express a future ability, \u2018be able to\u2019 is your best friend here<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the future, I will be able to play the guitar.<\/em><\/p><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
You could also make a more complicated sentence, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the future, I will have the ability to play the guitar.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
However, when talking about future plans and arrangements, you can use \u2018can\u2019 (as well as \u2018be able to\u2019):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can attend the appointment next Monday.<\/em><\/p>
I am able to attend the appointment next Monday.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
These two sentences have exactly the same meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, in summary, when talking about ability, \u2018be able to\u2019 is a much more flexible option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Semantics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We may also choose to use these two forms a little differently to emphasize the difference between a permanent ability, and the ability to do something at the moment. Here is another example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am able to play the guitar, but I can\u2019t play the guitar at your wedding because I am unavailable that day.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
In theory, you could invert those two terms to produce the same meaning in context, but the preference would be to use \u2018be able to\u2019 in order to talk about a permanent skill, rather than the ability to do something on any given day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Talking about permission<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Can\u2019 and \u2018be able to\u2019 are not only about ability but are connected to permission too. Look at these examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My teacher says I can use a dictionary in the classroom.<\/em><\/p>
My teacher says I am able to use a dictionary in the classroom.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
In these instances, \u2018can\u2019 and \u2018be able to\u2019 are the same.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, when it comes to talking about permission, even in the present tense, you cannot always use both options. Here\u2019s another example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My teacher says I can bring a dictionary to the exam tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My teacher says I am able to bring a dictionary to the exam tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this case, \u2018be able to\u2019 would not be used to express permission in a specific, once-off event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My teacher says I am allowed to bring a dictionary to the exam tomorrow.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
This would be correct and has the same meaning as \u2018can\u2019 in the sentence above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, in one last twist, you could (or you are able) to use \u2018be able to\u2019 in this situation, if you are talking about your ability to do something:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My teacher says I can bring a dictionary to the exam tomorrow<\/em>. = permission<\/p>
My teacher says I am able to bring a dictionary to the exam tomorrow.<\/em> = ability<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Although the second sentence doesn\u2019t really make any sense, it focuses more on the ability to do something, rather than the giving of permission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Be able to\u2019 definitely offers more flexibility than \u2018can\u2019 in terms of conjugating to verb tenses. However, the meanings are not always the same, and there are certain circumstances where either \u2018can\u2019 or \u2018be able to\u2019 are not logical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Always consider this question: am I talking about ability or permission? Once you have ascertained this, and then you have decided upon the correct verb tense, making the right decision in terms of \u2018can\u2019 and \u2018be able to\u2019 should be achievable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Do you know the difference between \u2018can\u2019 and \u2018be able to\u2019? Well, to start with, \u2018can\u2019 is a modal verb, while \u2018be able to\u2019 is not. But what about usage? Let\u2019s have a look: I can play the guitar I am able to play the guitar. Ability In these examples, they can be used in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1374,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[572],"tags":[517,577,568,571,575],"class_list":["post-1373","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vocabulary","tag-confusing-words","tag-learning-new-words","tag-vocabulary","tag-vocabulary-enhancement","tag-words"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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