How to use be able to

As you can see in all of these sentences, we were talking about general ability. Things that we can or we could do at any time in the present or in the past.

To talk about things that we managed to do on specific occasions in the past, we cannot use could. Instead, we use was/were able to. The verb managed, succeeded (in…ing) are also possible in this case.

• I was able to get some really good bargains in the sale. (NOT I could get some really good bargains in the sale.)

• After climbing for several hours, we managed to get to the top of the mountain. OR After climbing for several hours, we were able to get to the top of the mountain. (NOT … we could get to the top of the mountain.)

Both could and be able to can be used to say that we were not capable of doing something on a specific occasion.

We can also use could, may and might to ask for permission – CAN is the informal and most common way to ask for permission.

3.
We use can to make a request or to ask/tell someone to do something.
For example:
Can I have a cup of tea?
Can you help me with my homework?
Can you come here please?

This is an informal way to make a request, to be more polite you can use would you mind, or could.
For example:
Would you mind helping me with my homework?

Could

Could is used with the bare infinitive.
You can’t say: I could to climb trees.
Correct: I could climb trees.

1.
Could is used to talk about possibility or ability in the past.
For example:
When I was a child, I could climb trees.
Could you see the singer?
I couldn’t understand anything he was saying.

In positive sentences:
Could is usually used for general ability but when talking about more specific situations we use be able to.

In negative sentences:
We use could or be able to.

Compare these examples:
When I was younger I could climb trees. (General ability)
One time I was able to climb the biggest tree in my garden. (Specific occasion)
When I was younger I couldn’t swim. (General abililty)
One day I fell into the swimming pool and I couldn’t get out. (Specific occasion)
One day I fell into the swimming pool and I wasn’t able to get out. (Specific occasion)

2.
COULD can also be used to make requests, and it is more polite than CAN.
For example:
Could you tell me where the bathroom is please?
Could you help me please?

3.
Other uses of could:
Could is often used when making suggestions.
For example:
A: Where do you want to go on holiday next year?
B: We could go to Spain.

A: Im bored.
B: You could read a book.

Be able to

We use be able to to talk about ability, especially when talking about specific situations.
We use it in times when we cannot use CAN, this is because we can use be able to in any tense.

For example:
If you continue studying you will be able to speak English very well! (Future)
I have been able to speak Spanish since I was 15 years old. (Present perfect)
I should be able to help you tomorrow. (future with should)

2. Be able to is also more formal than CAN so you can use it in more formal situations.
For example:
I’m sorry Mr President – I won’t be able to help you today. I’m too busy making English videos for YouTube!

3. Finally to talk about achievements in the past you can use COULD or BE ABLE TO.

We use be able to in positive situations
For example:
Only one person was able to complete the challenge.

We can use couldn’t (less formal) or be able to (more formal) in negative sentences.
For example:
We couldn’t finish the race.
Or
We weren’t able to finish the race.

COMMON ENGLISH EXPRESSIONS

1. Could do with – could do with means that you need or want something.
For example:
I could really do with a cup of tea.

2. Can’t seem to – we use this just like I can’t.
It makes a negative statement extra strong.
For example:
I’ve been looking at this question all day but I can’t seem to find the answer.
I can’t seem to work out how to use this machine.

3. To be able to do something blindfolded – means you find it easy to do something.
For example:
I’m able to repair my bike blindfolded.
(You can also use can here)
I can repair my bike blindfolded.

'Can' and 'Be able to' are both used to speak about abilities, and the possibility of doing something. 'Can' and 'Be able to' are known as modal verbs in English.

Here are some examples of 'can' and 'be able to' used to speak about abilities.

Can for Abilities

• She can play tennis.
• They could speak English at a very young age.
• Peter can type 100 words per minute.

Be Able to for Abilities

• My sister is able to run a marathon.
• The students were able to get an A on the test.
• We will be able to attend the class next semester.

Here are examples of the two forms to speak about possibilities.

Can for Possibilities

• Can you come to the party next week?
• Do you think he can help with my homework?
• Peter told me he could pick you up at the airport.

Be Able to for Possibilities

• We weren't able to get tickets to the concert.
• She'll be able to study for the test tomorrow.
• Jack won't be able to come for another three days.

Listed below are examples and explanations for can/could/be able to for ability and permission in the past, present. and future.

ExamplesUsage

He can play tennis well.
She is able to speak five languages.
They can come on Friday.
Jack will be able to come next week.

Use 'can' or 'be able to' to express an ability or possibility

NOTE: The future of 'be able to' is 'will be able to

He could swim when he was five.

They were able to get tickets for the concert.

I was able to finish before 6.

I couldn't come last night, sorry. OR I wasn't able to come last night, sorry.

IMPORTANT: If someone was in the position to do something, or managed to do something, we use 'was/were able to instead of 'could'

In the negative,' wasn't able to' OR 'couldn't' are both correct.

Note: 'Can' is also often used to ask for permission, as well as 'may':

Can I come with you? = May I come with you?

Practice Can/Be Able To

Practice 'can' and 'be able to' with this role play. Once you've finished, make up some of your own dialogues and practice with a classmate or a friend. 

Peter: Hi Janet. Can you help me for a moment?
Janet: Sure, what's up?

Peter: I'm not able to understand this math problem. 
Janet: Really. I think I can help, but I'm not that good at math.

Peter: You were able to all the problems last semester, weren't you?
Janet: Yes, that's right, but I can't do everything. Let me see. 

Peter: Here you go.
Janet: Interesting, are you sure you're not able to do this?

Peter: Yes, that's why I'm asking for help!
Janet: OK. After I explain this, you'll be able to do without any problems.

Peter: Great. So what's the answer?!
Janet: Don't be in a hurry. Can I have a few minutes to think?

Peter: Of course you can. Sorry. 
Janet: No problem. 

Cite this Article

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Your Citation

Beare, Kenneth. "How to Use Can / Be Able To." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/can-be-able-to-1211765 (accessed December 21, 2022).

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