Difference Between Can and Be Able to
Table of Contents
Summary: Difference Between Can and Be Able to is that Can is a modal verb (those verbs that are used before ordinary verbs and explain possibility, necessity, certainty or permission). While Be Able To is a modal phrase/phrase. It is verb+ adjective+ infinitive. ‘Be’ is a verb, ‘able’ is adjective followed by infinitive.
Read the guide: I.e vs E.g
CAN
Definition of CAN
Can is a modal verb (those verbs that are used before ordinary verbs and explain possibility, necessity, certainty or permission).
- Can is used while planning or deciding about near future
- Can is used to state possibility
- Can is used to tell ability or skill
- Can is used to grant permission
- Can is used to tell way of doing something
- Can is used to tell the possession of power or right to do something
- Can is used to express doubt or surprise
- Can is used to make suggestions
- Can is used with the words like feel, smell, see, taste, hear etc.
Examples of CAN
While planning or deciding about Near Future
To State Possibility
To tell Ability or Skill
To Grant Permission
To Tell Way of Doing Something
To tell the possession of power or right to do something
To express doubt or surprise
What can he be eating?
Can John be serious about resigning from job?
To make suggestions
With the words like feel, smell, see, taste, hear etc.
Pronunciation of Can
/kən/ /kæn/
Etymology
From can, first and third person singular of connen, cunnen, from cann, first and third person singular of cunnan, from*kunnaną, from *ǵn̥néh₃-.
Be Able To
Definition of Be Able To
It is a modal phrase/phrase. It is verb+ adjective+ infinitive. ‘Be’ is a verb, ‘able’ is adjective followed by infinitive.
- Be able is used to show possibility
- Be able is also used to show skill/ability
- Be able is used to show success
- Be able is used after modals
- Be able is also used for enough either it’s time, money etc.
- Be able is also used after verbs
Examples of Be Able To
Used to show possibility
Used to show skill/ability
Used to show success
Used after modals
Used for enough either it’s time, money etc.
Used after verbs
Can vs Be Able To
CAN
Modal Verb.
Definition
Can is used planning about near future, stating possibility, telling skill, granting permission, about way of doing something, about possession of power or right, expressing doubt or surprise, making suggestions, with words like feel, smell etc.
Examples
- He can go to doctor tomorrow
- Playground can be emptied in the morning
- I can solve both the questions (mental ability)
- I can lift both trunks (physical ability)
- Can I be given this opportunity? He can write different stories in different languages
- He can change anything according to his desires (right)
- Parliament can amend women’s protection bill (power)
- What can he be eating?
- I can wash the carpet if necessary
- You can hear me now.
Be Able To
Modal Phrase.
Definition
Be able to is used to show possibility, to show skill/ ability, to show success, used after modals, used for enough either it’s time/ money, used after verbs.
Examples
- You have been able to pass this test
- I would love to be able to run like you, said john (physical ability)
- I would be able to write an article (mental skill)
- I wasn’t able to write (past)
- I am not able to write (present)
- I shall not be able to write (future)
- Hardly able to write, he still completed his thesis
- I might be able to complete my work
- I should be able to run
- Harry is able to buy new car
- I don’t know I will be to come
- You expect to be able to get first position.
ncG1vNJzZmiZnq6xqrLFnqmeppOar6bA1p6cp2aTpLpwsMifnZ6qlaOwpnnBnquwnZWjeqStzWaYp5xdl7JurcGlnGasn2Q%3D