Key Difference

• Can is used to express general ability and is most common in everyday language.
• Be able to is more formal and is used to show specific or situational ability, especially in contexts that aren’t in the present or in cases where can doesn’t work grammatically.

Detailed Breakdown

1. Using Can

• What it means: Expresses ability or permission, typically in the present or general sense.
• When to use it: For general abilities or possibilities, like things someone is generally capable of doing anytime.
• Examples:
  • “She can play the piano beautifully.” 🎶 (She has the ability to play the piano.)
  • “Can I use your phone?” 📱 (Request for permission.)
  • “They can speak three languages.” 🌎 (General language ability.)

Note: “Can” works well in informal, everyday conversations and tends to sound natural and easygoing.

2. Using Be Able To

• What it means: Also shows ability but works in a broader range of grammatical situations (including future, past, perfect tenses, and infinitives).
• When to use it:
  • In situations where can is not possible, like past or future perfect tenses.
  • To emphasize an achievement, or when the ability is unique to a particular situation.
• Examples:
  • “I was able to find her address after searching for hours.” 🕵️ (Specific instance of achievement in the past.)
  • “They will be able to help you tomorrow.” 📅 (Future ability.)
  • “She has been able to balance her work and studies very well.” (Perfect tense: past ability continuing over time.)

Tip: “Be able to” has a slightly more formal tone and works when you need more precise tense usage.

Common Situations and Examples

Quick Practice

Now it’s your turn! Fill in the blanks with the correct form of can or be able to:

1. Past Ability: “After months of practice, he ______ finally complete the marathon.”
2. General Permission: “You ______ borrow my book if you return it by Friday.”
3. Future Ability: “Once she finishes training, she ______ start working with clients.”
4. Present Ability: “They ______ see the ocean from their balcony.”

Answers:

1. “After months of practice, he was able to finally complete the marathon.”
2. “You can borrow my book if you return it by Friday.”
3. “Once she finishes training, she will be able to start working with clients.”
4. “They can see the ocean from their balcony.”