Be Able To

Why Use “Be Able To”?

“Can” is a modal verb and lacks some forms:

• No infinitive: to can
• No present perfect: has can
• No future with “will”: will can

“Be able to” fills these gaps.

Present Ability

am/is/are able to = can

• I am able to speak English. = I can speak English.
• She is able to drive. = She can drive.
• We are able to help. = We can help.

Note: “Can” is more common in everyday speech.

Past Ability

General Past Ability

was/were able to = could

• He was able to swim when he was five.
• They were able to speak French fluently.

Specific Achievement (use “was able to”)

• I was able to finish the race. ✓ (specific success)

• I could finish the race. ✗ (sounds incomplete)

• She was able to escape from the fire. ✓

• After hours of trying, we were able to fix it. ✓

Future Ability

will be able to

• I will be able to help you tomorrow.
• They will be able to attend the meeting.
• Soon, robots will be able to do this job.

Present Perfect

has/have been able to

• I have been able to complete the project.
• She has been able to find a new job.
• We haven’t been able to contact him.

With Other Modals

After another modal verb:

• You should be able to do this.
• You must be able to speak English.
• We might be able to help.

With Infinitives

After verbs followed by infinitives:

• I want to be able to travel more.
• She hopes to be able to retire early.
• They need to be able to communicate.

Can vs. Be Able To

Quiz