Consider the following:
He will be able to do it.
He can do it.
They mean the same thing, right?
Can "can" replace "will be able to" in any sentence? What is the difference, if anything? Why not just use the shorter version?
asked May 21, 2011 at 21:57
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1Without a more precise context, it's not really possible to uneqivocably say your two sentences mean exactly the same. But since you suggest that they do, let's assume you have in mind a context where that is in fact the case - so it's just a matter of style which you use. Note that most people probably talk too much anyway, so they're certainly not likely to base their choice on which one is shorter. I suggest you use the short one, which will leave you more time to peruse all the answers you'll get explaining how even in your context the two examples don't mean the same.– FumbleFingersMay 21, 2011 at 22:20
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4 Answers
No, they're not the same thing.
Will be able to obviously talks about a future event, while can talks about the present.
I can swim, so we should go to the pool.
Means I can swim already, I learned it before and I'm capable of doing it now.
I will be able to swim sometime in the future, as long as I take swimming lessons.
Means I cannot swim right now, but I'm hoping to learn in the future.
Probably you meant to ask the difference between can and am able to. If so, there is a difference, yes. Let me explain:
I am able to swim, but I can't, because my skin is damaged.
This means that I am capable of swimming, but I am prohibited to do so, because of an infection. So to put it to an explanation:
To be able to talks about an ability to do something, but it does not mean you are allowed to do such.
Can talks about something you are allowed to do, or about your ability to do it. This is therefore ambiguous.
answered May 21, 2011 at 22:02
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Except "I won't be able to swim tomorrow, because I have a skin infection" is perfectly good English. When you put it into the future any meaning of "can" turns into "will be able to". Nov 14, 2012 at 11:59
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What if I simply add tomorrow at the end? What would be the difference then? "The doctor can see you tomorrow" vs. "The doctor will be able to see you tomorrow."– YuriApr 23, 2018 at 10:12
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I think the OP meant to distinguish between the two structures while referring to a future possibility/ability: I can do it tomorrow Vs I'll able to do it tomorrow.– YuriJun 19, 2022 at 5:40
You cannot tell the differences now, but you will be able to tell them after receiving our answers.
One context where you would have to say “able to” is something like this:
You have to be able to swim every stroke in order to join the swim team.
In this context, “can” isn’t usable. The only other alternative would be:
You have to be capable of swimming every stroke in order to join the swim team.
Stroke = butterfly, back stroke, breast stroke, and freestyle.
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This answer can be improved by adding citations: reliable facts and references which show that the answer is correct.– MetaEdSep 19, 2012 at 17:39
I think the question here is not between can and be able to but rather between can and will be able to. As per my knowledge, can says that he is capable of doing it, and it does not say whether he is going to or not, whereas will be able to says that he is going to do it (in the future). You may want to use will be able to if you want to express your willingness to do it.
