CAN, COULD and BE ABLE TO

These three verbs can be used to express ability in different tenses. In fact, be able to is the
suppletive form of can and could in those tenses in which these cannot be used.

We also have to distinguish between specific and general ability. We talk about specific ability
when we refer to something we manage to do at a specific moment, under specific
circumstances or conditions. We talk about general ability when we refer to an ability that,
once it is acquired, allows us to do something at any moment or under any circumstances.

Here is a table to show you the different uses of the three verbs.

VERBS TENSES EXAMPLES

CAN Present (general ability) I can cook quite well
Present (specific ability) I can’t decide if he is telling the truth
COULD Past (general ability) He could play the piano when he was five
BE ABLE TO Past (specific ability) The pilot was able to land although he was badly hurt
Future He will be able to walk again in a few months’ time
Present Perfect I haven’t been able to pass my driving test
Past Perfect She had been able to call for help before she fainted

These same uses apply for the corresponding negative and interrogative forms of each verb.
There is only one exception to this: in negative sentences in the past couldn’t can be used both
to talk about specific and general ability.