Boost Communication Skills: Mastering Can, Could, Be Able To

When it comes to using the words “can,” “could,” “be able to,” and “manage to” in English, it’s important to understand the rules and nuances associated with each. These words have similar meanings but are used in different contexts, and using them correctly can greatly enhance your communication skills. In this blog post, we will explore the proper usage of these words and provide tips to avoid common mistakes.

1. Can

The word “can” is used to express ability, capability, or permission in the present tense. It is often used when talking about general abilities or skills. For example:

• I can swim.
• Can you speak Spanish?
• She can play the piano.

It’s important to note that “can” cannot be used in the past tense. For past events, we use “could” instead.

2. Could

“Could” is the past tense form of “can” and is used to express ability, capability, or permission in the past. It is also used to make polite requests or ask for permission. For example:

• When I was younger, I could run faster.
• Could you please pass me the salt?
• He could speak three languages fluently.

Unlike “can,” “could” can be used in both present and past tenses, depending on the context.

3. Be Able To

“Be able to” is a phrase that can be used as a substitute for “can” or “could” in certain situations. It is often used when we want to emphasize the ability or achievement of something. For example:

• He was able to solve the problem.
• She will be able to attend the meeting tomorrow.
• They have been able to complete the project on time.

“Be able to” can be used in both present and past tenses, similar to “could.”

4. Manage to

The word “manage to” is used to express the ability to handle or accomplish something, especially in difficult or challenging situations. It implies a sense of control or successful completion. For example:

• I managed to finish the report before the deadline.
• She managed to convince her parents to let her go on the trip.
• They managed to overcome the obstacles and reach their goal.

“Manage” is often used when there is an element of effort or difficulty involved in achieving the desired outcome.

Remember that “managed” should be followed by the infinitive marker “to.”

Test for can, could, be able to and manage to

Here is a test that can help you practice the usage of can, could, be able to, and manage in sentences:

Can vs Could vs Be able to vs Manage to

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Questions

1. I ___ speak two languages fluently; refers to a present event and comes before the verb of perception
2. ____ please pass me the salt? – polite question.
3. She ___ solve the math problem in no time; a single event in the past
4. We ___ finish the project before the deadline; a single event in the past.
5. ___ believe how fast he can run? – we put can/could before verbs of mind.
6. We __ stop doing it; refers to phrase can’t/couldn’t stop doing something.
7. I __ meet a lot of people at the party; concerns a future event, so ” will be able to”.
8. I __ understand this; we put can’t/couldn’t before verbs of perception.

Answers

Note: Please ensure that the sentences are contextually appropriate.

Tips to Avoid Mistakes

Here are some tips to help you avoid common mistakes when using these words:

• Pay attention to the tense: “can” is used in the present tense, “could” in the past tense, and “be able to” can be used in both tenses.
• Consider the context: Choose the word that best fits the meaning you want to convey. If you want to emphasize ability or achievement, “be able to” or “manage” may be more appropriate.
• Use polite language: When making requests or asking for permission, “could” is generally more polite than “can”.
• Practice using these words in different sentences to familiarize yourself with their correct usage.
• If you mean present ability use “can”, if you want to convey a prediction of future ability use “be able to”.
• When talking about a single event, do not use “could”, the correct form is “be able to” or “manage“.
• “Could” is used in a negative context, for example before verbs expressing the perception and mind such as see, feel, smell, remember. Before these verbs we use can, can’t, could, couldn’t.
• Remember the phrase can’t/couldn’t stop doing something.

By understanding the rules and nuances associated with the usage of “can,” “could,” “be able to,” and “manage,” you can improve your English language skills and communicate more effectively. Remember to pay attention to the tense, context, and politeness level to ensure accurate and appropriate usage. Practice using these words in various situations to become more confident in your language abilities.