“Can” vs. “Be Able To”: What’s the Difference?
Jun 6, 2023
Engram
The difference between “can” and “be able to”
- Can is restricted in usage, whereas be able to can be used in the past, present, and future tenses.
- The focus of can is on the ability to perform an action, whereas be able to emphasizes the effort and skill needed to accomplish it.
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What is the definition of “can” and “be able to”?
Can
- Can is a modal verb used to express ability or possibility in the present or future.
- It is also used to request or give permission or to make suggestions.
- Can cannot be used in the past tense, and its negative form is "cannot" or "can't."
Be able to
- Be able to is a phrase that also expresses ability, but it can be used in all tenses.
- It is often used when the focus is on the effort or skill needed to accomplish something.
- Be able to can also be used to express the idea of possibility, but it is more formal than "can."
Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?
“Can” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Can
23,000,000,000 results on the web
Examples
- Can you please pass me the salt?
- I can speak three languages fluently.
- Can he run a mile in under 5 minutes?
Be able to
3,450,000,000 results on the web
Examples
- I will be able to attend the meeting next week.
- She was able to finish the project on time.
- Will you be able to help me move this weekend?
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