"Could" and "Be able to"

This week in our class we studied the use of "could" and "be able to". Understanding this topic is very important because these two words are normally used in many grammar structures.

Could:


We can use could to make a permission or request:

  • Could I make a commentary?
  • Could you let me your scissors?
  • Could you speak a little louder?
  • Could you show me the references?
It is important that you notice that the formula to make a question with could is: 
Could + Subject + Verb + Complement

We can use could to express ability or possibility in the past:
  • I could prove that I hadn't made that mess.
  • She could play basketball at a professional level.
  • Could she read a book per day?
  • John couldn't memorize formula for the exam.
The formula for this use is: 
  • Affirmation: Subject + Could + Verb in infinitive + Complement.
  • Negation: Subject + Couldn't + Verb in infinitive + Complement.
  • Question: Could + Subject + Verb in infinitive + Complement
We don't use could when we are talking about an action that happened once in the past, it always describes a general situation of being possible. To describe an specific action we use "be able to" or "managed to"
  • Luckily my iPad was under guarantee when it broke, which meant I could get it fixed for free. (It is saying that it was possible to fix it, not that I actually got it fixed)
  • Luckily my iPad was under guarantee when it broke, so I was able to get it fixed. (Is an specific action because I did get it fixed)
  • I was able to meet my sister, last Friday. (Is an action that only happened once)
  • I could't learn to ride a car throughout my youth. (It is talking about a possibility in the past)

Be able to:

Be able to is a synonym of can and could, however it is used is some particular cases.

Can don't has past participle, so for the perfect tenses we will use "be able to" it the corresponding form.
  • Police has been able to evacuate the people before the attack.
  • He had't been able to upload the video, before the network problems.
Can can't be used after modals as: Must, might, should, may, ought to:
  • You shouldn't be able to enter with shoes to a mosque.
  • You mustn't be able to drive a car inebriated.
We can't use to before can, so we use be able to for an infinitive form.
  • Maria is very happy, she said that is very nice to be able to talk with a friend after very time without see him.
  • I love my new dog, it is very nice to be able to be always be with a friend.
Can has no ing form, we use the gerund in the verb to be.
  • Camilo loves being able to decide where to go.
  • Maria doesn't like don't being able to write with her right hand. She has got a fracture.
As you can see "can" doesn't have infinitive or gerund form.

Written by: Raul Santiago Insuasty



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