"CAN" vs "BE ABLE TO" Talking about Ability in English
This English grammar lesson explains how to talk about ability
Full lesson here and exercises: http://www.numberoneinstitute.com/grammar/verbs-and-tense/ability/
Free LIVE Facebook lessons every Wednesday and Saturday: https://www.facebook.com/numberoneinstituteforenglish/
Join Cara’s email group: http://www.numberoneinstitute.com/study-with-cara/
PRESENT ABILITY
Do you say, “I can speak English” or “I’m able to speak English.”?
Both of these sentences have the same meaning. But, ‘able to’ is more formal and less common.
These two examples are talking about present ability. Here are some more examples.
Jenny can/ is able to play tennis.
Henry can/is able to read.
FUTURE ABILITY
To talk about ability in the future, we can only use “will be able to”
If I train enough, I will be able to run 5km.
Difference between future ability and future arrangements or plans
You need to understand the difference between future ability and future arrangements or plans. With future arrangements or plans we can use both ‘can’ and ‘will be able to’. Here are some examples:
I can help you tomorrow.
I’ll be able to help you tomorrow.
PAST ABILITY
To talk about past ability (that is, abilities we don’t have now) we can use ‘could’ and ‘was/were able to’
For example:
When I was a kid, I could do a cartwheel.
When I was a kid, I was able to do a cartwheel.
But when we are talking about a specific event in the past, we only use was/were able to. For example:
I could finish yesterday’s assignment. WRONG!
I was able to finish yesterday’s assignment. CORRECT!
But – if it is negative – we can use both!
I couldn't finish yesterday’s assignment. CORRECT!
I wasn't able to finish yesterday’s assignment. CORRECT!
conversation, speaking, English lesson, useful phrases, vocabulary, new words, basic english, beginner english, study with cara, learn English, English, grammar lesson, English with cara, grammar, cara, teacher, esl, learn English, Australian English, Australian English teacher, common mistakes, English teacher, intermediate, ability, can, able to, could, can't, couldn't
Видео "CAN" vs "BE ABLE TO" Talking about Ability in English канала Study With Cara
Full lesson here and exercises: http://www.numberoneinstitute.com/grammar/verbs-and-tense/ability/
Free LIVE Facebook lessons every Wednesday and Saturday: https://www.facebook.com/numberoneinstituteforenglish/
Join Cara’s email group: http://www.numberoneinstitute.com/study-with-cara/
PRESENT ABILITY
Do you say, “I can speak English” or “I’m able to speak English.”?
Both of these sentences have the same meaning. But, ‘able to’ is more formal and less common.
These two examples are talking about present ability. Here are some more examples.
Jenny can/ is able to play tennis.
Henry can/is able to read.
FUTURE ABILITY
To talk about ability in the future, we can only use “will be able to”
If I train enough, I will be able to run 5km.
Difference between future ability and future arrangements or plans
You need to understand the difference between future ability and future arrangements or plans. With future arrangements or plans we can use both ‘can’ and ‘will be able to’. Here are some examples:
I can help you tomorrow.
I’ll be able to help you tomorrow.
PAST ABILITY
To talk about past ability (that is, abilities we don’t have now) we can use ‘could’ and ‘was/were able to’
For example:
When I was a kid, I could do a cartwheel.
When I was a kid, I was able to do a cartwheel.
But when we are talking about a specific event in the past, we only use was/were able to. For example:
I could finish yesterday’s assignment. WRONG!
I was able to finish yesterday’s assignment. CORRECT!
But – if it is negative – we can use both!
I couldn't finish yesterday’s assignment. CORRECT!
I wasn't able to finish yesterday’s assignment. CORRECT!
conversation, speaking, English lesson, useful phrases, vocabulary, new words, basic english, beginner english, study with cara, learn English, English, grammar lesson, English with cara, grammar, cara, teacher, esl, learn English, Australian English, Australian English teacher, common mistakes, English teacher, intermediate, ability, can, able to, could, can't, couldn't
Видео "CAN" vs "BE ABLE TO" Talking about Ability in English канала Study With Cara
Показать
Комментарии отсутствуют
Информация о видео
Другие видео канала
Are you ABLE to..? 💪🏼 English Modal VerbsCan or Be Able To - Advanced English GrammarExpressing Ability to Do Something with CAN, COULD or BE ABLE TO - English GrammarCAN | COULD | BE ABLE TO - ENGLISH GRAMMARUsing 'can', 'could', 'be able to' and 'manage to' - 6 Minute GrammarEnglish Grammar: Should you use DO or BE?How to talk about WEATHER in English - grammar, adjectives, verbs, nouns & idiomsFree English Lesson: The Ultimate Guide to Conditionals (Advanced Examples)【canとbe able toの違い】どちらも同じく「できる」ですが微妙な違いがあります。それぞれの使い方を説明します。SO and SUCH - What's the difference? IMPROVE your ENGLISH!Confusing English Verbs | LEND & BORROWHow to Use Can, Could and Be Able To - English Modal Verbs for AbilityThe smart way to improve your English | Learn CollocationsIntermediate English #9: Can, Could, Be able to | Easy English at Home2as make peace /الوحدة الأولى للعلميين و الثانية للأدبيين/ p39 be able to _can_couldConfusing English Verbs | BEEN & GONEShould Have VS Could Have [English Grammar Lesson]How to use English Modal Verbs | Possibility & ProbabilityModal Verbs: |Can |Could & Be Able To - English GrammarLesson 18 (A1) can/could فعل توانستن