be able to

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Verb 1.1.1 Usage notes 1.1.2 Hyponyms 1.1.3 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Verb

to be able to

1. can, to have the ability to

[edit] Usage notes

• To be able to may be used whenever can (the modal verb) is used; it is always used in tenses where can, which is defective, has no corresponding form. For example, "He said I would be able to go" is the same as "He said I could go", and "You will be able to watch" replaces the non-existent *You will can watch.
• To be able to can be used instead of could to avoid ambiguity between would be able to and was/were able to. For example, "I know I could win" can mean either "I know I was able to win" or "I know I would be able to win", whereas the forms using to be able to avoid this ambiguity.

[edit] Hyponyms

• (have ability to): know how to

[edit] Translations