How do you use "be able to" in a sentence?

Will you be able to come tomorrow? I haven't been able to reach her. After practice, I was able to pass the test. She'll be able to help you.

be able to

Q: What does "be able to" mean?

Alternative to 'can' for ability in various tenses 'Be able to' can replace 'can' and works in all tenses: future (will be able to), present perfect (have been able to), past (was able to). Use for specific past achievements instead of 'could.'

Grammar Pattern BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

Practice this with flashcards, quizzes & audio on WordLoci →

Meaning: Alternative to 'can' for ability in various tenses

can的替代形式，可用于各种时态表达能力

Alternativa a 'can' para habilidad en varios tiempos

様々な時制で能力を表す「can」の代替

다양한 시제에서 능력을 나타내는 'can'의 대안

'Be able to' can replace 'can' and works in all tenses: future (will be able to), present perfect (have been able to), past (was able to). Use for specific past achievements instead of 'could.'

'Be able to'可以用于'can'不能用的时态：将来时（will be able to）、完成时（has been able to）、不定式（to be able to）。

'Be able to' puede usarse en tiempos donde 'can' no puede: futuro (will be able to), perfecto (has been able to), infinitivo (to be able to).

「Be able to」は「can」が使えない時制で使えます：未来形（will be able to）、完了形（has been able to）、不定詞（to be able to）。

'Be able to'는 'can'을 대체할 수 있으며 모든 시제에서 사용 가능합니다: 미래(will be able to), 현재완료(have been able to), 과거(was able to). 과거의 구체적인 성과에 대해서는 'could' 대신 사용합니다.

Examples

Will you be able to come tomorrow?
你明天能来吗？
¿Podrás venir mañana?
明日来られますか？
내일 올 수 있나요?
I haven't been able to reach her.
我一直联系不上她。
No he podido contactarla.
彼女と連絡が取れていません。
그녀에게 연락이 닿지 않고 있습니다.
After practice, I was able to pass the test.
练习之后，我通过了考试。
Después de practicar, pude aprobar el examen.
練習の後、テストに合格できました。
연습한 후에 시험에 합격할 수 있었습니다.
She'll be able to help you.
她能帮助你。
Ella podrá ayudarte.
彼女はあなたを助けることができるでしょう。
그녀가 당신을 도와줄 수 있을 겁니다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: descriptive

✓ Do Say

I'll be able to finish by Friday.
你明天能来吗？
¿Podrás venir mañana?
明日来られますか？
금요일까지 끝낼 수 있을 겁니다.
Have you been able to fix it?
我一直联系不上她。
No he podido contactarla.
彼女と連絡が取れていません。
고칠 수 있었나요?
She was able to escape. (specific achievement)
练习之后，我通过了考试。
Después de practicar, pude aprobar el examen.
練習の後、テストに合格できました。
그녀는 탈출할 수 있었습니다. (구체적인 성과)
I will be able to come.
她能帮助你。
Ella podrá ayudarte.
彼女はあなたを助けられるでしょう。
올 수 있을 거예요.
I was able to escape yesterday.
昨天我成功逃脱了。
Ayer pude escapar.
昨日逃げることができました。
어제 탈출할 수 있었어요.

✗ Don't Say

I will can come. (use 'will be able to')
I will can come.（应用'will be able to'）
Yo podré venir. (usa 'will be able to')
I will can come.（will be able toを使いましょう）
I will can come.（'will be able to'를 사용）
I could escape yesterday. (for specific event, use 'was able to')
I could escape yesterday.（表达具体过去事件时应用'was able to'）
Pude escapar ayer. (para un evento específico, usa 'was able to')
I could escape yesterday.（特定の出来事にはwas able toを使いましょう）
I could escape yesterday.（구체적인 사건에는 'was able to'를 사용）

Origin & History

Flexible ability expression

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal