Ability (can, be able to)

💡 Can + bare infinitive is the most common way to express present ability.

💡 Both forms are possible in the present, but can is the usual choice.

💡 Can't or cannot + bare infinitive expresses lack of present ability.

💡 A prediction about future ability uses will be able to + bare infinitive.

💡 Can is usual in the present, while be able to can follow other modal or infinitive structures.

💡 Will be able to expresses a definite prediction about future ability.

💡 The question form is Will + subject + be able to + bare infinitive?

💡 Can has no infinitive form, so use to be able to after would like.

💡 Can is not normally used for predictions about future ability or possibility.

💡 Might not be able to expresses uncertain lack of future ability.

💡 Can can refer to future ability when the practical arrangement is already decided.

💡 Short answers repeat the relevant auxiliary or modal, and might expresses uncertainty.

💡 Is able to agrees with Sophie and expresses present ability.

💡 Unlike can, be able to uses a form of be that agrees with the subject.

💡 After might, use the base form be able to, not can.

💡 Would like is followed by the infinitive to be able to + bare infinitive.

💡 Can + subject + bare infinitive forms a present ability question.

💡 The correct negative is isn't able to + bare infinitive.

💡 A modal verb is followed by the bare infinitive, so be does not change after will.

💡 Can is the common form for a present ability that exists now.