be able to
be able to means “be able to = can, but with all the forms can lacks: future, perfect, and a single past success”. Be able to means the same as can (have the ability), but it has all the forms that can does not: will be able to (future), have/has been able to (present perfect), to be able to (infinitive after another verb). Formation: be able to + base verb (am/is/are/was/were/will be/been able to)
be able to = can, but with all the forms can lacks: future, perfect, and a single past success
A2Formation
be able to + base verb (am/is/are/was/were/will be/been able to)
Explanation
Be able to means the same as can (have the ability), but it has all the forms that can does not: will be able to (future), have/has been able to (present perfect), to be able to (infinitive after another verb). For a single success in the past — managing to do one particular thing — use was/were able to rather than could: I was able to fix it (I managed it that time).
Examples
Note
For general past ability (something you could always do), could is fine: I could swim at five. But for one specific achievement, prefer was/were able to. Can has no infinitive or -ing form, so be able to fills those gaps too: I'd love to be able to drive.
FAQ
be able to — what does it mean and how is it used?
be able to = can, but with all the forms can lacks: future, perfect, and a single past success. Be able to means the same as can (have the ability), but it has all the forms that can does not: will be able to (future), have/has been able to (present perfect), to be able to (infinitive after another verb). For a single success in the past — managing to do one particular thing — use was/were able to rather than could: I was able to fix it (I managed it that time).
be able to — how do you form it?
be able to + base verb (am/is/are/was/were/will be/been able to)
be able to — any usage notes?
For general past ability (something you could always do), could is fine: I could swim at five. But for one specific achievement, prefer was/were able to. Can has no infinitive or -ing form, so be able to fills those gaps too: I'd love to be able to drive.