be able to
/biː ˈeɪbl̩ tuː/To have the physical, mental, or legal capacity to do something
After practicing for months, he was able to play the piano beautifully.
He had developed the skill to play the piano well.
The new software allows users to be able to customize their dashboards.
The software gives users the capability to personalize their dashboards.
Often used to express capability after overcoming obstacles or with permission.
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💡Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal Usage
'Be able to' is slightly more formal than 'can' and is often used in written or formal contexts.
⚡Gold Rule
Modal Verb Pairing
'Be able to' is often used with modal verbs like 'will', 'would', or 'might' to express future or hypothetical capability.
📖Word Origin
Derived from the verb 'able' (from Old English 'æbl'), meaning having the power or skill to do something, combined with the modal verb 'be' and the infinitive marker 'to'.
📝Usage Notes
'Be able to' is often used to describe a general capability, while 'can' is more common in everyday speech. 'Be able to' is frequently used after modal verbs like 'will' or 'would'.