English
Verb
to be able to
- can, to have the ability to
Synonyms
(have ability to): know how to
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.
Translations
trans-top|have ability to
Finnish: voida, kyetä, pystyä
French: pouvoir, savoir (for a skill); omitted when translating verbs relating to the senses
:"You are able to do it." - Vous pouvez le faire. (uses pouvoir)
:"She is able to swim." - Elle sait nager. (uses savoir)
:"I am able to see it." - Je le vois. (omitted)
German: können, in der Lage sein
Icelandic: skil (�g skil...)
Italian: potere, sapere (for a skill); omitted when translating verbs relating to the senses
:"You are able to do it." - Lei lo può fare. (uses pouvoir)
:"She is able to swim." - Sa nuotare. (uses savoir)
:"I am able to see it." - Lo vedo. (omitted)
trans-mid
Kurdish:
:Kurmanji: kanîn, karîn, �iyan, tiwanîn
:Sorani: tiwanîn
Spanish: poder, ser capaz de (for a skill); omitted when translating verbs relating to the senses
:"You are able to do it." - Puedes hacerlo. (uses poder)
:"She is able to swim." - Ella es capaz de nadar. (uses ser capaz de)
:"I am able to see it." - Lo veo. (omitted)
Swedish: kunna
Turkish: edebilmek
trans-bottom
Category:English auxiliary verb forms
fr:be able to
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