The difference between can and be able to
In English, both the modal verbs "can" and "be able to" can indicate ability, but there are some important differences between them. Understanding these differences is essential for the correct use of these two words. In this article, we will take the main differences between "can" and "be able to" and give some example sentences to explain these differences.
First, let's understand the basic meaning of "can" and "be able to". "can" is mainly used to indicate the ability to do something now or in the future, whereas "be able to" can either indicate the ability to do something now or in the past. Therefore, from a time perspective, "be able to" is used more widely.
In addition to this, there are some subtle differences between "can" and "be able to" when it comes to denoting ability. "Can" emphasizes the latent ability, i.e., the ability to do something, but does not emphasize whether or not the act is actually performed. In contrast, "be able to" places more emphasis on the ability to actually perform, that is, not only to be able to do something, but to actually complete that action.
Now, let's further understand the difference between "can" and "be able to" with some example sentences.
Example sentence 1: I can speak English(I can speak English.) ）
In this example sentence, "can'' is used to show that you are or will have the ability to speak English now or in the future, but it does not emphasize whether you are actually speaking English or not.
Example sentence 2: I am able to speak English(I have the ability to speak English.) ）
In this example sentence, "be able to" is used to indicate that you are now capable of speaking English and are able to actually perform this act.
Example sentence 3: He was able to escape from the burning building(He was able to escape from the burning building.) ）
In this example sentence, "be able to" is used to indicate that the building that was able to escape from the burning building in the past and actually performed the act as well.
As you can see from the example sentences above, there is a slight difference between "can" and "be able to" when it comes to representing ability. When using these two words, you need to choose the right words according to the context to accurately express your meaning.
In addition to the differences mentioned above, there are some other usage differences between "can" and "be able to". For example, "can" can be used to indicate possibility, while "be able to" cannot be used for this usage. Therefore, when using these two terms, it is also necessary to pay attention to their scope of application and limitations.
To sum up, there are some important differences between "can" and "be able to" when it comes to representing capabilities. When using these two words, you need to choose the right words according to the context to accurately express your meaning. At the same time, it is also necessary to pay attention to their scope and limitations to avoid errors or inaccurate expressions. By mastering these differences and precautions, we can make better use of these two words and improve our English skills.