Be able to: use in English

The closest meaning to the equivalent of the verb can is be able to. The use of this design in English is relevant for all tenses: for the present, past and future tenses. Very often, it is a substitute for the modal verb can (be able or able). However, it has its own distinctive features. Let's look at all the situations in which it would be appropriate instead of I can say I am able to + do something (do something).

The main differences

Perhaps every person learning English begins with the topic of modal verbs. What is a modal verb? This is the same part of the speech that answers the question "what to do" and expresses the action of the subject. However, unlike ordinary verbs, modal ones are limited in time forms, that is, they can be used only in several tenses. The verb can is included in the list of modal verbs and is one of the most used. It is used in the meaning of "be able to", expresses the real ability to work, the ability to perform mental or physical work. Here are its main differences from other verbs:

• Can can only be used in two tenses (present and past);
• In the past tense, Past Simple, it takes the form of could;
• After the verb can, we never use the particle to.

On a concrete example

For a better understanding of the topic, many teachers advise you to memorize examples and phrases that use the word or phrase we need.

For example, the sentence "I can help you with your homework" can be translated into English in two ways: by the familiar verb can or using be able to. The table below describes the options and rules for using each verb.

Real Time Use

As you know, there are much more times in English grammar than in Russian grammar. If we have only three times, then the number of them reaches 16. Do not be embarrassed by this figure, because in life not all 16 are used, but only 12. And for understanding the speech of native speakers, for reading English literature and for simple communication, you will have to learn all temporary forms. Never say “I can’t”, it’s better to drop the “not” particle and say with confidence “I can!”. Never say "I can't", my dear friends!

So, let's examine the use of be able to in the present (simple) tense, which in English is called Present Simple. As you may have noticed, it includes the irregular verb be (to be). When using this equivalent of the verb can most often, problems arise precisely because of this be. Everything is simple, he “inclines” depending on the pronoun that stands in front of him. The rules from the classic English textbook read as follows:

• I am (be changes to am) - I am;
• You, we, they are - you, you, we, they are;
• He, she, it is - he, she, it is.

Using can, could and be able to

The modal verb can has another meaning. It is often used in sentences where someone allows someone something, or vice versa, does not allow it. For example, I allow my sister to take my book, so I tell her: "You can take my book." But if she is not allowed to take my bag, I can say: "My sister can NOT take my bag."

Unlike Be able to, using can can be easier in that it does not change its shape whether the pronoun in front of it changes independently. Both after I and after she, we, they modal verb can remains in the same form. The picture below shows examples of its use.

Past time

Using be able to in the past tense (Past Simple) may be equivalent to the modal verb could. For comparison, we cite the following sentence: "I could drive a car yesterday." It can be translated in two ways:

• I could drive the car yesterday (here the verb can takes the form of the past tense and turns into could).
• I was able to drive the car yesterday (in this case, the construction be able to is expressed in the form of Past Simple, so the verb be acquired the second form and became was).

Which verb to use in this case? At first glance it seems that there is no difference. However, in the first version with the use of a modal verb, we seem to focus our interlocutor's attention on the fact that we COULD drive a car, because we have the physical skills to control the machine. And in the second sentence using be able to, we emphasize that we had the ability to control the machine, i.e. I was able to drive because I was healthy, sober and circumstances allowed.

Many people often confuse Past Simple times with Present Simple. The fact is that the British use time that has no analogue in Russian to tell about their experience (they did something, went somewhere, cooked or cleaned). If the result of the action itself is important, and not the time period in which this action was performed, then you should build the proposal in the Present Perfect time format. For example, when I ask you “Have you ever been to Bukhara?”, I’m interested in finding out a specific answer (yes or no), and not the date of your trip (that is, it doesn’t matter to me yesterday you visited there or a year ago , the experience itself and its availability are important). Have you ever been to Bukhara? You can answer "Yes, I have" or "No, I have not been there."

Present Perfect Time

In English, using be able to in Present Perfect is more relevant than ever, because for this time there is no form of the modal verb can. If you want to say that you can do something now and know how to do it for a long time, then you should use this design. Example:

• I have been able to play piano pretty good - I was able to play the piano perfectly - but I choose the other occupation - but I chose a different profession.
• Marry has been able to cook for ten years - Mary has been (and is) able to cook for 10 years, that is, Mary has been able to cook for 10 years now.

For negation, we add the particle not immediately after the verb have. For example, I have not been able to dance since childhood - I have not been able to dance since my childhood. And if "I can dance since childhood," then we say "I have been able to dance."

Here's what the rule looks like according to which you can use be able to (not can) in the present perfect tense: pronoun or common noun + verb have in the right form (for she, he, it we use has) + been able to + semantic verb + addition or circumstances.

Simple Future Tense

Future Simple is another tense for which the modal verb CAN does not exist. In the sentences where we discuss what we will be able to do in the future (it doesn’t matter tomorrow or in a year), we turn again to the be able to construct. Use in the future tense occurs according to the following scheme: the pronoun + will (or will not, if it is a negation) + be able to + semantic verb + additions. Let's look at specific examples to make it clearer.

• I will be able to go to my friend's birthday party tomorrow - I will be able to go to my friend's Birthday party.
• Maxim will not (= won't) be able to go to school tomorrow because he is sick.

As you can see (as you can see), in the future tense we do not change the construction be able to. Use in Future Simple occurs with the addition of the auxiliary verb will.

We should not forget about the other meaning of ba able to, since it is the equivalent of the modal verb "be able", it has all its properties. It is for this reason that you can safely use this design when you want to say that someone will be allowed to do something in the future. For example: “Maria will be able to eat cake a week after the surgery” - Maria will be able to eat cakes a week later after the surgery (that is, she will be able to eat sweets, circumstances will allow).