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Can, could and be able to.

 Can, could, be able to

We use can to say that something is possible or that somebody has the ability to do something. We use can + infinitive (can do / can see etc.):

• We can see the lake from our bedroom window.

• Can you speak any foreign languages?

• I can come and see you tomorrow if you like.

The negative is can't (= cannot):

• I'm afraid I can't come to the party on Friday.

(Be) able to... is possible instead of can, but can is more usual:

• Are you able to speak any foreign languages?

But can has only two forms, can (present) and could (past). So sometimes it is necessary to use (be) able to..

Compare:

• I can't sleep. but I haven't been able to sleep recently, (can has no present perfect)

• Tom can come tomorrow, but Tom might be able to come tomorrow, (can has no infinitive)

Could and was able to...

Sometimes could is the past of can. We use could especially with:

See/ hear/ smell/ taste/ feel/ remember/ understand

• When we went into the house, we could smell burning.

• She spoke in a very low voice, but I could understand what she said.

We also use could to say that somebody had the general ability or permission to do something:

• My grandfather could speak five languages.

• We were completely free. We could do what we wanted. (= we were allowed to do...)

We use could for general ability. But if we are talking about what happened in a particular situation, we use was/were able to... or managed to... (Not could):

• The fire spread through the building quickly but everybody was able to escape. or everybody managed to escape, (but not 'could escape')

• They didn't want to come with us at first but we managed to persuade them. or ...we were able to persuade them, (but not 'could persuade')

Compare:

• Jack was an excellent tennis player. He could beat anybody. (= he had the general ability to beat anybody) but

• Jack and Alf had a game of tennis yesterday. Alf played very well but in the end Jack managed to beat him. or ...was able to beat him. (= he managed to beat him in this particular game)

The negative couldn't (could not) is possible in all situations:

• My grandfather couldn't swim.

• We tried hard but we couldn't persuade them to come with us.

• Alf played well but he couldn't beat Jack.

Complete the sentences using  can , able to , or could.

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1. George has travelled a lot. He couldcanable toI don't know speak four languages.

2. I used to couldcanbe able toI don't know stand on my head but I can't do it now.

3. When Tim was 16, he was a fast runner. He couldcanable toI don't know run 100 metres in 11 seconds.

4. Sandra canable tocouldI don't know drive but she hasn't got a car.

5. Ask Catherine about your problem. She might be able tocancouldI don't know help you.

6. I was feeling sick yesterday. I haven't been able tocouldn'tcan'tI don't know eat anything.

7. Sue wasn't at home when I phoned but I was able tocouldcanI don't know contact her at her office.

8. When we went into the house, we couldcanI don't know smell burning.

9. Will she couldcanbe able toI don't know cope with the work?

10. I can't see you on Friday but I canam able tocouldI don't know meet you on Saturday evening.