To talk about a general ability in the present, both forms are possible, but can is more usual. - Gareth can run very fast. (Gareth is able to run very fast.), Know how to can be used as an alternative to can. - Can you play chess? (Do you know how to play chess?), To talk about an ability in the future, we use the future form be able to - Will I be able to play better after I've had some lessons?, To talk about a general ability in the past, both forms are possible - Before his accident, Ben was able to jump really high. Before his accident, Ben could jump really high., To talk about an ability to do something in the past on one particular occasion, it is not possible to use could. We must use the past tense of be able to or manage(+ infinitive) or succeed(+ in+ -ing) - Although she had lost a lot of blood, the doctors were able to save the girl's life. Despite the difficult conditions, the surgeons managed to perform the operation successfully and succeeded in saving the man's leg, If the event was unseccesfful, it is possible to use couldn't as well as the past forms of be able to, manage and succeed - Although he did his best, he couldn't finish it in time., To talk about a hypothetical ability in the present or future, we can use could or would be able to. - I could probably jump further if I had longer legs. I would probably be able to play better if I practised more, To talk about a hypothetical ability in the past, we usually use could + have + past participle, although we can also use would have been able to - Even If he'd been taller, he couldn't have reached it. Even if he'd been taller, he wouldn't have ben able to reach it., To talk about aptitude and capacity for doing something, we can use be capable of + -ing - He is certainly capable of breaking the word record., To talk about how well do something, we can use the structure be good (brilliant) / bad (terrible) at + noun or gerund. - I have never been good at sports. I am particularly bad at running.,

Grammar Rules - Ability

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