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Diamondrg Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

can/am,is,are able to

-I can fix that.

-I am able to fix that.

-Is there a difference between these two? Which one would a native use? Why? Wen do you use one, when the other?
  

Top answer

The two mean the same thing, but native speakers prefer "can". "I am able to" just seems excessively wordy. Nevertheless, the past tense shows a real difference between "was able to" and "could".

— CalifJim

  • The two mean the same thing, but native speakers prefer "can".
  • "I am able to" just seems excessively wordy.
  • Nevertheless, the past tense shows a real difference between "was able to" and "could".
  • "was able to" is required when the meaning implies "succeeded".
  • Hence, one may say I ran and was able to catch the bus , but never I ran and could catch the bus , the latter sounding ludicrous to the ear of the native speaker.
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3 Answers
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The two mean the same thing, but native speakers prefer "can".
"I am able to" just seems excessively wordy.

Nevertheless, the past tense shows a real difference between "was able to" and "could". "was able to" is required when the meaning implies "succeeded".

Hence, one may say I ran and was able to catch the bus, but never I ran and could catch the bus
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thanks, CJ. One more question:

Can "Can" be used to express future things?

- I can fix that tomorrow.

If yes, would it mean the same thing as "I will be able to fix that tomorrow."

If still yes, which one would a native speaker use/prefer?
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Yes, yes, same as above! "I can ... tomorrow."
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