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#2 (permalink) Tue Apr 05, 2005 9:37 am Can |
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The auxiliary can is a so called defective verb because there is no infinitive form and no past participle. This means that you have to use other words to replace these missing parts. You use the infinitive after will and so you use the alternative form be able, which acts as the substitute. _________________ English as a Second Language You can read my ESL story Present Simple |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 17284 Location: UK
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#3 (permalink) Sat Jul 19, 2008 14:34 pm Difference between can and be able to |
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That's ok. But, in this case: After the accident he was no longer able to walk. Could I use "can" or "could" in the case? How would it be? |
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Daltomaciel I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Posts: 18
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#4 (permalink) Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:02 am Difference between can and be able to |
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'After the accident he was no longer able to walk.' 'After the accident, he could no longer walk.'
Both are acceptable, yes. However, you might also hear the 2nd version as: 'After the accident, he couldn't walk.' or 'After the accident, he couldn't walk anymore.' _________________ Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.
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Skrej I'm here quite often ;-)

Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 863 Location: Not-quite exact central USA
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#5 (permalink) Mon Jul 21, 2008 13:09 pm Difference between can and be able to |
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In my opinion, the difference kicks in, when you need to use "can" in the past tense and in affirmative sentences, as in: 1. He was able to climb the mountain on that date 2. In his youth, he could climb mountains |
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Lost_Soul I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 1861 Location: South Park, Colorado, USA
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#6 (permalink) Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:21 am Can |
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I'm sorry - but I have a question according to "can".
"Can" is also called a defective verb because it has no infinitive and no past participle. Can you please tell me what "could" is? I thought it is the past form of "can".
So this is wrong: I could buy that book. And this is right: I was able to buy that book.
??
And another question: infinitive - is this the same as the base form of a verb? In school we learned verbs by saying "to live, to go..." Maybe the infinitive form is "to live" and the base form is "live"
thanks and best regards |
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Sumade I'm new here and I like it ;-)

Joined: 28 Nov 2008 Posts: 20
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#7 (permalink) Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:26 am Can |
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Another question. I have problems with terms - so what is the difference between auxiliar verbs and modal verbs? :?
Sincerely, Sumade |
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Sumade I'm new here and I like it ;-)

Joined: 28 Nov 2008 Posts: 20
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#8 (permalink) Thu Jan 08, 2009 10:59 am Difference between can and be able to |
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Hi,
'Could' is a past from of 'can' as in: When I was younger, I could run longer distances - where it means: I was physically able to run longer distances. Another meaning of 'could' is 'would be able to' as in: I could buy that book if I had more money.
Alan _________________ English as a Foreign Language You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 17284 Location: UK
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#9 (permalink) Thu Jan 28, 2010 15:11 pm Difference between can and be able to |
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Dear Alan,
For this question,can I explain like as follows:
"can" is a verb which is used only in present tense and past tense(could) whereas "be able to" can use in all tenses.
I'm hoping for a yes.:) |
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Kevinqi I'm new here and I like it ;-)

Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 21
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#10 (permalink) Thu Jan 28, 2010 17:20 pm Difference between can and be able to |
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Hi,
Yes, and just to repeat: 'can' is for present situations and 'could' is for either 'was able to' or 'would be able to'. 'Be able to' is possible in all the tenses that you can make with the verb 'be'.
Alan _________________ English as a Second Language You can read my ESL story Passive Voice |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 17284 Location: UK
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#11 (permalink) Wed Oct 06, 2010 13:34 pm Difference between can and be able to |
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Dear Alan, one of my friend in forum explained in this :
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'After the accident he was no longer able to walk.' 'After the accident, he could no longer walk.'
Both are acceptable, yes. However, you might also hear the 2nd version as: 'After the accident, he couldn't walk.' or 'after the accident, he couldn't walk anymore.' Is there any difference between two sentences by definition? With the best regard Mitra584 Peace&Love _________________ Peace&Love |
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Mitra584 I'm here quite often ;-)

Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Posts: 519 Location: Iran
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#12 (permalink) Mon Nov 07, 2011 16:02 pm Difference between can and be able to |
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it's still strange for me can you explain it more clearer for me please? |
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Niaz1 I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 13 Sep 2011 Posts: 38
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#13 (permalink) Mon Nov 07, 2011 18:45 pm Difference between can and be able to |
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There is a easy explanation of can it means it must be complete the task by him or her.Can be a so-called auxiliary verb defect, because there is no infinitive form, and no past participle. This means that you have to use other words to replace these missing parts. You can use, the infinitive, so you can use another form, substitute.In my opinion, the difference between playing, when you need to use the past tense and affirmative sentences "can." |
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Samual New Member
Joined: 07 Nov 2011 Posts: 5
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What is an entablature? | Change, fly, jog, eat |