Saltar al contenido
The Fluency
House
Gramática comparada

Can, could y be able to: la diferencia

Can es habilidad y permiso ahora. Could es habilidad general en el pasado o un pedido cortés. Be able to cubre lo que can y could no pueden.

Reserva una clase de prueba

La respuesta corta

Can, could / Be able to
Can, couldBe able to
I can swim. (habilidad ahora)I was able to swim across the lake yesterday. (un logro puntual en el pasado)
Could you help me? (pedido cortés)Will you be able to help me tomorrow? (habilidad futura)
I could swim when I was five. (habilidad general en el pasado)I was able to finish the report on time. (un logro puntual en el pasado)

Cuándo usar cada uno

Can, could y be able to comparados
PuntoCan / couldBe able to
Habilidad presentecan: I can drive.am/is/are able to: I am able to drive. (más formal)
Habilidad general pasadacould: I could read at four.was/were able to: I was able to read at four.
Un logro puntual en el pasadoNo se usa en afirmativawas able to, o managed to: I was able to fix it.
Habilidad futuraNo se usa, can no tiene futurowill be able to: I will be able to finish by Friday.
Pedido cortésCould you...? Can you...? (menos formal)No se usa para pedidos

Cuidado si hablás español

  • Para un logro puntual en el pasado, could no funciona en afirmativa. Decí was able to o managed to, no I could pass the exam.
  • Could funciona bien en negativo para un evento puntual: I couldn't find my keys.
  • Can no tiene futuro, así que se usa will be able to: I will be able to come, no I will can come.
  • Pude cubre todo esto en español, así que revisá la oración: una habilidad general usa could, un logro puntual usa was able to.

Práctica

Práctica de gramática

Elige o escribe la respuesta de cada oración y comprueba.

  1. 1. I speak three languages.
  2. 2. When I was a kid, I climb trees easily.
  3. 3. After months of practice, she finally run a marathon.
  4. 4. I'm sorry, I come to the meeting tomorrow.
  5. 5. you pass me the salt, please?

  6. 6. I

    swim by the time I was six.

  7. 7. She

    finally fix the printer after an hour.

  8. 8. I

    be able to come, I'll let you know tomorrow.

0 de 8 comprobadas

Preguntas

¿Por qué no puedo decir I could pass the exam para un logro puntual?
Could solo funciona para habilidad general o en negativo. Para un logro puntual en el pasado, usá was able to o managed to: I was able to pass the exam.
¿Cuál es el futuro de can?
Can no tiene futuro, así que se usa will be able to: I will be able to help you tomorrow.

Sigue con

¿Quieres practicar esto con Pili?

Reserva una clase de prueba. Te responde con horarios en hora de Buenos Aires.

Reserva una clase de prueba