Learn English online : Usage

Can and be able to

Be able to often has the same meaning as can.

• I am unable to/can’t understand his motive.
• He is able to/can support her.

Can is preferred in expression like can see, can hear etc. It is also used in the sense of ‘know how to?’

• I can knit. (More natural than I am able to knit.) (= I know how to knit.)
• I can see a ship. (More natural than I am able to see a ship.)

Be able to is preferred in cases, where can/could is not grammatically possible.

• I might be able to help you. (NOT I might can help you.)
• Someday scientists will be able to find a cure for cancer. (NOT Someday scientists will can find …)

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