比较can 和be able to
1)can could表示能力;可能(过去时用could),只用于过去式(could)和现在式。be able to 可以用于各个时态。
eg: They will be able to tell you the news soon.
2)只用be able to
a.位于助动词后
b.位于情态动词后
c.表示过去某时刻动作时。
d.用于句首表示条件
e.表示成功地做了某事时,只能用was/were able to ,不能用could。
eg:He was able to flee Europe before the war broke out.
=He manageed to flee Europe before the war broke out.
注意:could 不表示时态
1)提出委婉的请求,(注意在回答中不可用could)。
---Could I have the television on ?
---Yes, you can. /No, you can't.
2)在否定句,疑问句中表示推测或怀疑。
He couldn't be a bad man.
他不大可能是坏人。