Basic English Grammar: CAN, COULD, BE ABLE TO

[@ThisisGRYoung]

Hi. I'm an English speaker. "I was able to win the spelling bee" means that you had the chance of winning it, but does not necessarily you did win it. "I won the spelling be" means that you absolutely won it - there's no doubt about it." For example "I won the spelling be" - you won in it - no question about that. "I was able to win the spelling bee, but I fell ill and had to leave" - You were good enough to win, but something stopped you. I hope that helps. :)

[@jonathanpadilla5410]

Thanks for this example now i have it clearer 😃😃👌👌

[@kadiroruc473]

Thank you very much for clearing the situation.

[@MrJz776]

Alex you are the best teacher of English language.

[@Jayy6ix]

No.

[@zenx951]

Yes

[@S8_yln]

Facts

[@andmurta]

starting the marathon in 2020, thank you very much for your classes ... as usual see you in the next class

[@Stardoudou7268]

Thank u so much ولله مالقيت حتى معلم يشرح الدرس هذا في الانترنت غير نتا يعني انا مانفهمش لونڨلي مليح بصح ولله فهمت😂💜

[@isisoliveira716]

Thank you Alex. I'm Brazilian and I'm not VERY good in English. Yes, I understood your video so ... Thanks, you help me a lot. Now I always watch and I follow you too. Thanks again, you are incredible.

[@Heyitsme93107]

Thank you so much for this video! I have to explain 'can, could and to be able to' to my pupils this week and your explanation is very detailed yet clear. Keep up the good work.

[@YasserYasser-we8sy]

I from algeria❤️🥹

[@1217-w6z]

It`s great the way you use your language so clearly when you are speaking

[@kkc-xb6km]

Gay?...

[@nouriajasmin3625]

hhh

[@JoaoGabriel-lt3sz]

Thank you so much, I from Brazil and I learning English, so you help me so much! You’re the best English teacher 😁

[@lienbui3522]

In spite of COVID-19 fighting,I wasn't learnt badly because I often watch your lessons.I am interested you

[@aymencatalonia1759]

Merci elik khouya😂❤❤

[@engvidAlex]

This is true, but the difference is very subtle, because you are talking about the possibility of doing something, and not about the ability to do something.

[@Princhick22]

Wow! I'm an ESL teacher and let me tell you, you're amazing! Thanks for the vid!

[@engvidAlex]

You are so welcome!

[@kashanbashdar3440]

some of yall might ask why cant we use “could” when we talk about a specific thing that has happened in the past here’s why: for instance you say “i could stop at the traffic lights” means you could stop but you didn’t. but when you say “i was able to stop at the traffic lights” it means you could stop and you did stop. i hope i made myself clear.

[@urfav.st4aar]

Thank you, I am an Algerian Arab and we are studying this grammar lesson 😭

[@larisajaaskelainen7137]

Thank you Alex! You are the best teacher in the world!!!

[@bellalchowdhury2565]

I am Bangladeshi I want to know something about English. So I try to know always about English language. I have no doubt that you are an excellent teacher.I have a question to you how to improve in English. If you suggest me, I will be very happy. please tell me if you know something about English.

[@luisfilipe5704]

I can Learn more.. 'cause I study every day uhu.. I love English

[@edwinmartinez1940]

tks , you explanation is very clear, I understand all in a few minutes

[@impatriciadavis7801]

thank you sir🌟 Your student from Algeria, good luck and happy life🌻

[@MyasonChritz]

Perfect🔥

[@abduqodirodiljonov8868]

I watched ur video which was uploaded on KZbin 12 years ago

[@engvidAlex]

Thank you so much!

[@asmaaldo7766]

Thank you so much , i just wished if you gave us more examples about BE ABLE TO

[@ByKubicek]

Thanks from Czech! You haven't got a strong accent so I understand you very well and it's the best way to learn for me :)

[@fotabayochyoki6792]

Thank you so much sir Alex I'll take the English exam tomorrow

[@Shorohat]

your explanation is very clear

[@MaGiLo90]

@dalis001 Yes, but he was talking about a deceased person. Deceased meaning Dead. 2:48. "(When she was still alive,) my grandma could swim."

[@MaGiLo90]

@CH0UDHRY Yes, you can use "could" for future, but that's kind of when speaking of uncertainty "I could go to school tomorrow" (If I'm not sick) or (instead of today). Can is more like "I know I can do it tomorrow" Could is more like "I could maybe go tomorrow" But you're right. :)

[@marcosvicente1474]

Thank you Alex... I always understand your videos.You are very good teacher.

[@jeiami]

@mklkmr i think you should've used in that phrase is "can" because you are talking about yourself. however, you could use "could" if you're talking about someone . i hope i'm correct.

[@ernestogarcia1557]

I need to know what's the difference between general and specific abilities. Can an ability be general but specific too?

[@boshraalmohammed8660]

Hi master thanks you for this video i am student from Kuwait ❤

[@lienbui3522]

I am understand for your lesson Alex.Thank you very much

[@0IIDaviDII0]

@MrMj1997 he said that you can use could when you're talking in past, and you can use can when you're talking in present or future, so i think that " can you help me " is correct ;)

[@highlandersom1539]

Thanks a lot Your voice is so clear I able to understand Wht u spelling in the lesson And thanks again Go head make more teacher

[@samiracoras9459]

Thanks Alex,you helped me a lot for my test But my teacher told me the CAN cannot used in the future,so it uses BE ABLE TO

[@evgeniilap5768]

Samira Coras your teacher is right

[@samiracoras9459]

thanks

[@MuhammadAli-iv3wd]

+Samira Coras , May i talk to you ? i am english learner and seeking someone to who i speak english,

[@Pham_Cong_Thinh]

+Samira Coras I think we can say: I can help you tomorrow. (Future meaning) or I will be able to help you tomorrow. (Future form and meaning)

[@CORVOLUX86]

Congratulations. with your tips video I made clear my doubts. thank you very much

[@ferdoussediqi9998]

Alex you are the best teacher

[@engvidAlex]

You're very kind. Thanks, Ferdous.

[@ChefLAragon]

i am a ESL student and this is exactly that i need thanks.

[@MohammedAdelAli-fe3nu]

Wow your teaching very fantastic

[@andrestarazona6190]

I was able to understand the lesson, thanks.

[@realjuvelive]

I wish I could go with you !!! is it true? :)

[@bouchrawomen7233]

Thanks a lot you make my english better

[@athosmendes9946]

thanks very much alex. your lessons are Always helpful......

[@dicklapitan1263]

The videos are all very helpful in teaching

[@jdragos7274]

Teacher Alex, can you expand this lesson on can, could, be able to --- if there is a next level to it because it seems basic maybe there is something more to it. If not I will continue to watch your video for different topics. Indeed, great lesson!

[@kadiroruc473]

Thank you teacher Alex.

[@gorwell97]

What about the explanation for could when it's used for possible actions in the present or future? Your explanation makes it sound as if could is only used in the past tense. Thanks

[@baralul]

in the last example "I was able to win the spelling bee" do you use able to instead of could because could can only be used on something that you have done at least once? like you can only say I could swim only when you did it once sometime in the past

[@karimabn4109]

What about "be capable of" ?I think we need to teach it as well , since it expresses ability too. And I wonder why this expression is rarely mentioned in grammar sections of school books? Thanks for helping.

[@abdirizakmohammed6859]

I have never seen as teacher good honorable

[@MohammedAdelAli-fe3nu]

I'm want to ask you few questions when we used able to or was able to or be able to? Please answer the question

[@raneemalharbi6544]

Hmmm, I have a question 🙋🏻‍♀️ Why we can’t sey. (. My grandma can swim ) Thank you teacher ❤️

[@yavuzbingol1348]

thank you for lessons I'm study in 10-class but I have 4-students I teaching they use your video..

[@engvidAlex]

That's great. Thanks for your support, Yavuz. Good luck with your classes.

[@echapeah]

thx for the video.. it really helps me

[@erandi1775]

Thank you! now I'm able to understand this theme better 🥳

[@LeloGamade]

Thank you Father so much 🙏

[@tsimash8527]

Wow youre really good this was short and straight to the point...thank you so much i just subscribed so worth it ☺☺

[@ashar5yaser2]

This is very good I like

[@Pakistansave]

Good help for those whom havent spokan english skill such as like my self.

[@ayahassan7932]

Thanks for the amazing explanation 😊

[@engvidAlex]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SuperTuananh93]

thanks you! It 's so useful. Can you say more about modal verb.

[@AlfredoArnedoTorres]

was able to ------> specific achievements in the past.

[@islamamridz4807]

ThanX a Lot teaCher U are thé best .U're help me a lot thank U very MuuUCh

[@engvidAlex]

That's great! I'm glad you're enjoying my lessons and that you're improving your language skills.

[@dinawkasssss]

For example" can you help me preparing for my english exam" and the answer can be Yes, i can or No, i can't like that:)

[@haqkomano4175]

I have a question could and would are past form but we use them also for the future and that is the point I want to understand, like, could you please glass of water. or would you please pass me the salt and pepper?

[@dinithisahanika7823]

Thank you teacher 🙏💖

[@ujillkind2000]

Thanks I love this channel

[@engvidAlex]

That's awesome to hear! Thanks a lot, Jill.

[@kenifVINtage]

someone plz answer this!!! "i could swim when i was 5" so does it mean that i dont know how to swim now?

[@kevinmaestroful]

not necessarily, you could say ' I could swim when I was five and i can swim now'

[@yenisitihajarritonga7670]

Yeah That's it the meaning but if you emphasize by saying but now i still can swim then it says it all.

[@urielxrated]

Yes, that's what it is trying to imply. Unless you continue the sentence

[@sportlovers1508]

Probably you are 96 years old now

[@theottomanemperor1767]

How are you sir? I'm Zubair from Bangladesh.

[@engvidAlex]

I’m good, thanks! I hope you’re doing well!

[@theottomanemperor1767]

@@engvidAlex yes sir doing well, sir I have been learning English for 4 months, sir I can read English but I could not understand English 100% , can understand 50-60%, sir what should I've to do? I'm Zubair mahmud from Bangladesh, I'm living in Dubai as well as a truck driver ♥

[@bashirahmed9940]

Thanks Sir, I am from India please tell me what is difference between "I can swim and I am able to swim??? Both have same expression???

[@kevinmaestroful]

both mean the same thing

[@naeemanaeema5415]

thank you so much Iam from Iraq and Iam an English teacher . Can I ask you som question

[@basekh_qasim6277]

So very well done

[@yevheniiherasymchuk]

great lesson, the modal "managed to" is still difficult for me, please, if you have a time...

[@kevinmaestroful]

i managed to is the same as I was able to

[@BruceWayne_213]

great thanks for uploading men, i wish you will upload more, i should subscribe for that

[@ahmedali-kx8ju]

You're good teacher Go on....

[@engvidAlex]

Thanks, ahmed. Make sure to check out my other videos! I've got around 200 now. :)

[@ahmedali-kx8ju]

Learn English with Alex [engVid] I know that . I have exam rules on Sunday and the teacher is very difficult when he puts questions and does not put any signal to help us to choose. Can you help me !!

[@neehaglee7249]

great video. thanks for sharing alex.

[@bunu3670]

I'm new here just now I see your video sir I like it m going to subscribe ur channel

[@mohammadfarooq9469]

Sir can you explain "been able to" if it comes in a sentence then what does it mean like i have been able to drive.

[@minoaljoker9750]

Thank You Man You are the Best

[@engvidAlex]

Thanks a lot, Mino. I'm happy it was useful for you.

[@iae6799]

I think I'm a pokemon I'm evolving. Understood some things without legend. Thanks you, teacher.

[@saviorarmy4423]

I m from Turkey. I will learn i hope :)))

[@engvidAlex]

For sure! Like anything else in life, it just takes regular practice. I wish you luck. :)

[@adiosamigo1203]

it's very good lesson

[@deborshikashyap6745]

Wait...he said here 4:30 you can't use was able to drive and will be able to drive but here he said 5:05 you can say was able to drive will be able to drive 🤔🤔

[@cristobalc2591]

Hi Alex, what about 'could' for future??... I heard more than once and now I got confused

[@nathanieljishing]

Can I use "could able or can able" together in sentences. E.g. I can able to climb the tree.

[@mattspaulding4912]

yes, you can use 'could' like this but not 'can' --> 'could' in this case indicates a conditional type of construction. For example: I could be able to make it to the party if they make it earlier in the day.

Good lesson. Thanks.

[@Qtr5229009]

thank you very helpful but i have question be able to is for present and future only right?

[@kevinmaestroful]

be able to is for all of the tenses

[@ParvezAli-p2p]

I will be able to write an English essays.

[@nandijaideep]

Can anyone please tell me the difference between Suraj is able to speak four languages and Suraj can speak four languages.

[@jacimedeiros6013]

Thank you Alex.

[@camila1549]

Can somebody explain the final sentence? Why I can't use 'Could'? what that have to be 'be able to'?

[@Jiji__2020]

. Excellent .. thanks a lot

[@librasjuan]

What are the common questions from a child?

[@antoniasitungkir8535]

Thank you so much👍👍👍

[@chutchybo]

@MrMj1997 both are correct, but the word could is more polite

[@mohsenbarakat8067]

Hello teacher I have question .. Can we use able to instead of could ? Please answer 😍

[@kikcer-sv7dn]

Thank you alex

[@gopalpandey5588]

Its very useful video

[@engvidAlex]

"It's a very useful video" or "This is a very useful video." Thank you! :)

[@monimhsk5759]

thanks so much Alex

[@marechalracer3441]

I'm from Brasil. Like!!

[@engvidAlex]

Awesome! Thanks for checking out the video, Mauricio.

[@marechalracer3441]

English Lessons with Alex (engVid AlexESLvid) I like and need to learn to speak English fluently