一、be able to 强调通过努力而获得的能力,而 can 则强调自身已具有的能力,强调现在的能力,如:
be able to:
My sister is able to run a marathon.We will be able to attend the class next semester.They could speak English at a very young age.Peter can type 100 words per minute.二、在过去时中,be able to 强调一种结果,而 can 只强调一种可能。如:Luckily, he was able to escape from the big fire in the end. ---->已经逃出了The students were able to get an A on the test.---->已经If he got here a few hours earlier, I could save him.三、be able to 可以有各种时态;而 can 只有一般现在和一般过去两种时态。如:I could help you last night, but you didn’t come.四、can可用于表示可能性,推测,请求,许可等情况,而 be able to通常不这样用。The price is too high. That can’t be right.Can I read your newspaper?You can take the car, if you want.We can't wear jeans at work.