9.

Past, Present, and Future Ability

Present Ability with Can
1A

Can is used to talk about an ability in the present.

The baby can walk, but she cant talk yet. Strong winds can cause a lot of damage.

1B

Be able to also describes an ability in the present, but can is more commonly used.
Less Common He is able to speak French and Arabic. More Common He can speak French and Arabic.

Future Ability with Be Able To and Can

2A

Use will be able to to talk about a skill or other ability that you dont have yet but will have in the future. Do not use can to describe an ability that you will have only in the future.
After I complete this class, Ill be able to type 60 words a minute. x After I complete this class, I can type 60 words a minute. (INCORRECT)
I will be able to see better after I get new glasses. x I can see better after I get new glasses. (INCORRECT)

2B

Use will be able to or can to express ability that relates to decisions and arrangements for the future.
She ll be able to can meet you at the airport at 3:00. ll be able to can help you in ten minutes.

Im busy now, but I

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Past Ability with Could and Be Able To

3A

Use could or was/were able to to talk about an ability that existed for a long period of time in the past.
Long Period of Time was able to When I was young, I could eat dessert every night, and I didnt gain weight.

3B

In affirmative statements with action verbs, do not use could to talk about an ability related to a single event. Use only was/were able to.
Single Event with Action Verb (Affirmative) Yesterday I was able to finish my homework quickly. x Yesterday I could finish my homework quickly. (INCORRECT)

3C

In affirmative statements with certain stative verbs such as see, hear, feel, taste, understand, and remember, use could or was/were able to to talk about ability related to a single event in the past.
Single Event with Stative Verb (Affirmative) Last night the sky was clear and we was able to could see for miles.

3D

In negative statements, use couldnt or wasnt/werent able to for both ability during single events and ability over a long period of time.
Single Event (Negative) Yesterday I wasnt able to couldnt Long Period of Time When I was younger, I wasnt able to couldnt finish my homework quickly. finish my homework quickly.

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