Be Able, Manage vs Can / Could

Common Mistakes

I am not able to decide which sentence is correct.

I can’t decide which sentence is correct.

I have never can ski.

I have never been able to ski.

I will can pass the exam if I study.

I will be able to pass the exam if I study.

It was a very long marathon, but she could reach the end.

It was a very long marathon, but she managed to reach the end.

By searching the web, I could find all the info I needed.

By searching the web, I managed to find / was able to find all the info I needed.

I would like to be able to speak Spanish but I have never been able to learn it.

When I was five I could swim very well.

When I lived in Manchester I could go and see the best concerts whenever I wanted to.

We couldn’t see because of the rain.

I couldn’t answer any of the questions.

can has no form for the infinitive, present perfect, past perfect or continuous forms, instead a form of to be able is used.

could can be used in the conditional e.g. If I had time I could probably do it.

could not can be used to express incapacity in the past e.g. I broke my leg in the accident so I couldn’t move.

with reference to the past you cannot use could (in the affirmative or interrogative). For a specific occasion use managed or was able to e.g. I managed/was able to answer all the questions in the test.

could with a past meaning can only be used for a repeated / habitual ability e.g. I could play the piano when I was nine.

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