The closest equivalent of the verb can is be able to. The use of this construction in English is relevant for all tenses: for the present, past and future tenses. Very often it is a replacement for the modal verb can (to 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).
Main differences
Probably every English learner starts with the topic of modal verbs. What is a modal verb? This is the same part of speech that answers the question "what to do" and expresses the action of the object. However, unlike ordinary verbs, modal verbs are limited in tenses, meaning they can only be used in a few 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 "to be able to do something", expresses a real opportunity to work, the ability to perform mental or physical work. Here are its main differences from othersverbs:
- Can can only be used in two tenses (present and past);
- In the Past Past Simple it takes the form could;
- After the verb can, we never use the particle to.
Case study
For a better understanding of the topic, many teachers advise memorizing 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: with the familiar verb can or using be able to. The table below describes the variations and usage rules for each verb.
| Verb form | English translation | Memorization rule |
| Can | I can help you with your homework | There is no to particle between the modal can and the semantic verb help |
| Be able to | I am able to help you with your homework | Please note that after the pronoun I the verb is in the correct form (be becomes am). Also, between the verbs be able and help there is a connecting particle to |
Present Tense
As you know, there are many more tenses in English grammar than in Russian grammar. If we have only three times, then the British have 16 of them. Do not be embarrassed by this figure, because not all 16 are used in life, but only 12. And forunderstanding the speech of native speakers, for reading English literature and for simple communication, you will have to learn all tense forms. Never say "I can't", better drop the particle "not" and confidently declare "I can!". Never say "I can't", my dear friends!
So, let's look at 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. It's simple, he "declines" depending on the pronoun that comes before him. The rules from a 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 one more meaning. It is often used in sentences where someone allows something to someone or vice versa, does not allow it. For example, I let my sister 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, can can be easier to use in that it doesn't change its form whether or not the pronoun before it changes. And after I, and aftershe, we, they modal verb can remains in the same form. The picture below shows examples of its use.
Past tense
Using be able to in the past tense (Past Simple) can be equivalent to the modal verb could. For comparison, consider 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 becomes past tense and becomes could).
- I was able to drive the car yesterday (in this case, the construction be able to is expressed in the Past Simple form, 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 variant 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 drive a car. 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 he althy, sober and circumstances allowed.
Many people often confuse Past Simple (Past) with Present Simple (Present Perfect). The fact is that the British usetime, which has no analogue in Russian. If the result of the action itself is important, and not the time period in which this action was performed, then you should build a sentence in the Present Perfect tense format. For example, when I ask you "Have you ever been to Bukhara?", I'm interested to know the specific answer (yes or no), and not the date of your trip (i.e. it doesn't matter to me whether you were there yesterday or a year ago, the experience itself and its presence are important). Have you ever been to Bukhara? You can answer "Yes, I have" or "No, I have not been there".
Present Perfect
In English, the use of be able to in the Present Perfect is more relevant than ever, because for this tense there is no form of the modal verb can. If you want to say that you know how to do something now and know how to do it for a long time, then you should use this construction. Example:
- I have been able to play piano pretty good - but I choose the other occupation - but I chose another profession.
- Marry has been able to cook for ten years - Mary has been able to cook for ten years, meaning Mary has been able to cook for ten years.
For negation, we add the particle not immediately after the verb have. For example, 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".
This is what the rule looks likewhich needs to build the use of be able to (not can) in the present perfect tense: pronoun or common noun + verb have in the desired form (for she, he, it we use has) + been able to + semantic verb + object or circumstance.
Future Simple
Future Simple is another tense for which there is no form for the modal verb CAN. In sentences where we talk about what we will be able to do in the future (whether tomorrow or in a year), we turn again to the be able to construction. Use in the future tense follows the following pattern: 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.
- Maxim will not (=won't) be able to go to school tomorrow because he is sick.
As you can see, we are not changing the be able to construct itself in future tense. Use in the Future Simple comes 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 "to be able", it has all its properties. It is for this reason that you can safely use this construction when you want to say that someone willallowed to do something in the future. For example: "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).
