ABILITIES (can /be able to)

Can is only used in the present and past, while be able to is used on all tenses.

PRESENT

 to talk about general or present abilities.

- the students can speak English.
- Maria can’t ride a bike.
 Both can be replaced with be able to but can sounds more natural
- The students are able to speak English.
- Maria isn’t able to ride a bike

PAST

to talk about past abilities and with verbs or perception (feel, see, hear…)
- She could write in Arabic when she was younger.
- I couldn’t see that he was late.
 Both can be replaced with was able to.
- She wasn’t able to reach costumer support.
- They weren’t able to get to the movie on time.

FUTURE
-since can doesn’t have an infinitive form use be able to with future abilities.

 after will and be going to

- I will be able to speak perfect English soon.
- They are going to be able to run the marathon after a lot of training.

 after modals
- Fred might be able to wash your car.

after verbs like would like or want to

- I would like to be able to fly a helicopter.
- I want to be able to surf.
Choose the correct words to complete the sentences.

1. I would like (be able to/ to be able to) come tomorrow.

2. I (can’t/ couldn’t) see anyone I knew at the conference.

3. Have you (been able to/ be able to) speak to Carl in Denmark?

4. We might (can/be able to) help you now.

5. I (could/ was able to) speak to Mr Masood at the end of yesterday's workshop.

6. If John comes here tomorrow, he (is able to/can) help you.

Choose the correct words to complete the conversation.

Haven’t been could wasn’t Hadn’t been Couldn’t Can’t Won’t be

A. As soon as I arrived in the office, I ___ see there was a problem.

B. What was wrong?

A. We ___ log on to our computers.

B. Was it a virus or something?

A. No. IT were upgrading our PCs and they ___ able to finish the work.

B. I ___ able to log on yesterday either. Is it OK now?

A. No, the IT team ___ able to fix the problem so far.

B. So people still ___ use their computers?

A. Yes. It's possible that we ___ able to do any work for the rest of the week!