The document discusses the differences between using "can", "could", and "be able to" when expressing ability or capability. It notes: 1) "Can" and "be able to" are often interchangeable, but "can" is more common for discussing a learned skill, especially in the present. 2) "Will be able to" should always be used for discussing ability in the future. 3) "Could" is more common than "was/were able to" for discussing general ability in the past. 4) For discussing ability to do something on a specific past occasion, "was/were able to" must be used rather than "could".

3. • Se utiliza cuando queremos decir que alguien es capaz de algo, que puede.
Can y Could pueden ser reemplazados en ciertos casos por esta forma
verbal.
• To be able to - ser capaz de, poder
• La expresión "to be able to" posee un significado similar a la de los modales
"can" y "could", sin embargo no es un auxiliar modal dado que puede
conjugarse en todos los tiempos verbales.
To be able to + infinitive: (capacidad, aptitud) saber, poder, ser capaz de
Can + base form: (capacidad, aptitud) poder, saber, a veces no se traduce
El uso de "be able to" en el Presente Simple (am/is/are able to) es poco
frecuente aunque posible. Para este tiempo verbal, el empleo de "can" es
más común.

4. • Helen can speak five languages fluently.
Helen puede hablar cinco idiomas con fluidez.
• Helen is able to speak five languages fluently. (poco común)
Helen puede hablar cinco idiomas con fluidez.
• Can you hear me well?
¿Me puedes oír bien?
• Are you able to hear me well? (poco común)
¿Me puedes oír bien?

5. • You will be able to get tickets to the concert if you arrive at the box
office early.
Podrás conseguir entradas para el recital si llegas a la boletería
temprano.
• Will you be able to come with us?
¿Podrás venir con nosotros?
• The kids have not been able to study much today.
Los niños no han sido capaces de estudiar mucho hoy.
• Ms. Peterson has been able to contact Mr. Hope this morning.
La Sra. Peterson pudo contactar al Sr. Hope esta mañana.

6. • There is often some confusion about can and be able to, so let’s see if
I can clear that up a bit for you.
• Can and be able to are often interchangeable and you can usually use
either one without a difference in meaning. But not always.
• Can is a modal auxiliary verb that expresses general ability in the
Present tense, or could for general ability in the Past tense.
• Be able to is not a modal auxiliary verb, it’s just the verb “be” + the
adverb “able” + the infinitive “to”.

7. 1. Skill in this It can be used both to and can be
reliable . BUT CAN is more commun ,
especially when we are talking about a learned
skill.
2. Example: Peter can speak French is more
commun Peter is Able to speak French .

8. 2. Skill in the future Always Will Be Able to be used to discuss
the future
Example: I will be Able to speak Chinese next year . I can
speak Chinese next year

9. 3. -General ability in the past Could it be used or was / were
reliable to . It Could BUT is more commun .
Examples: Could I swim When I was 5 years old is more
reliable commun that I was to swim When I was 5 years old .
Could I play the piano when i was Young is more reliable
commun that I was to play the piano when i was Young .

10. 4. Ability to do something in a specific occasion in the past Could
NOT be used . Use it was / were reliable to
Examples: I was Able to catch the 5 o'clock train to London . I
could take the train from 5 to London. I was Able to finish His
project before the deadline . He could finish the project before
the deadline.