The difference between can, could, and be able to

Can, could, and be able to to are basically the same, and they can be used interchangeably in many contexts, but there are some differences.

Able to emphasizes that a person has the ability to do it, which means that he has the ability.

could means to be able to be, is a modal verb, and many times is a speculative tone.

Like, can you help me?

If you use can to ask questions, then this matter is a gesture, anyone can help, that is, to speculate whether the other party is willing to help or not, if you use be able to ask questions, it is difficult to do, ask the other party if they have the ability.

Coconut is the past tense of can, however, it is also possible to use could in the present tense, which is more polite than the tone of can.

can,could

beable

The three words to mean can, can; Coconut is the past tense of can; Can has only two tenses, while be

Ableto can have a variety of tenses.

able

to can only be used in the simple present tense and simple past tense.

Two tenses. And can

It can be used in any tense.

2。For could

It can be thought of as the past tense of can, or as a modal verb (which is more euphemistic than can).

3。Note. When used.

Simple present tense and simple past tense.

and when it represents an ability.

can and beable

to be interoperable.

Able to can only be used in the simple present tense and simple past tense two tenses, whereas can can can be used in any tense.

2.For could can be thought of as the past tense of can, or as a modal verb (it is more euphemistic than can).

3.Note: When used in the simple present and simple past tense (and when denoting an ability), can and be able to are interchangeable.

Hello, hello! I am your teacher wang.

If you know the modal verbs can and could in English, you know that these two words mean "someone can do something". But it's not enough to know this, we also need to dig a little deeper.

Coconut is the past tense of can, can = could, and they refer to general abilities. For example: My grandfather could speak five languages

My grandfather speaks 5 languages. i can see the lake from our bedroom window.I could see the lake from our bedroom window.

While many times we can express it in terms of can or could, we can only express it in terms of be able to and manage to do when something can be done in a specific situation.

For example: the fire spread through the building quickly but everybody was able to escape

the fire spread through the building quickly but everybody managed to escape.

The fire quickly spread to the building, but everyone was able to escape.

The premise is that the sentence must be an "affirmative sentence".

In addition to that, be able to can be used in many tenses, whether it is in the present, past, or present perfect tense without any pressure and can still bear it. In comparison, CAN and Could are far less flexible than Be Able To! So it's safest to use be able to guarantee in any situation.

All three can represent competence.

CAN indicates that there is some kind of ability.

he can swim, dance and sing songs.

Could in addition to doing the past tense of can, it also denotes ability, but the probability is less than can.

maybe he could help you, but i am not sure.

Be able to denote the ability in addition to the ability to place a special emphasis on the success of this result.

all was surprised to find he had been able to survive.

FYI.

The former only has the simple present tense and the simple past tense, while the latter has various tenses.

All have the meaning of being able.

Can emphasize a certain skill, etc.

Be able to emphasize the ability to do, emphasize the ability.