adj.(形容词)

1. 能，会，可
2. 能干的，有本事的，干练的
3. 有才能的，有能力的，有才智的，有才干的
4. 能够的，可以的
5. 擅长的
6. 【律】有法定资格的
7. 得以…的

adj.(形容词)

1. 能够…的 having the physical or mental power, skill, time, money, opportunity, etc. needed to do sth
2. 聪明的,能干的 intelligent or good at doing sth

Adjective:

1. (usually followed by `to') having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something;

   "able to swim"
   "she was able to program her computer"
   "we were at last able to buy a car"
   "able to get a grant for the project"
   

2. have the skills and qualifications to do things well;

   "able teachers"
   "a capable administrator"
   "children as young as 14 can be extremely capable and dependable"
   

3. having inherent physical or mental ability or capacity;

   "able to learn"
   "human beings are able to walk on two feet"
   "Superman is able to leap tall buildings"
   

4. having a strong healthy body;

   "an able seaman"
   "every able-bodied young man served in the army"
   

1.（因具有品质或技能）能做到…的
If youare able to do something, you have skills or qualities which make it possible for you to do it.

e.g. The older child should beable to prepare a simple meal...
那个年纪稍大的孩子应当会做一顿简单的饭菜。
e.g. The company say they'reable to keep pricing competitive...
该公司说他们能够使定价保持竞争力。

2.（因有足够的自由、权力、时间、财力等而）可以…的，能够…的
If youare able to do something, you have enough freedom, power, time, or money to do it.

e.g. You'll beable to read in peace...
你就能安心地读书了。
e.g. Have you beenable to have any kind of contact?...
你联系上了吗？

3.聪明能干的；能力出众的
Someone who isable is very clever or very good at doing something.

e.g. ...one of the brightest and ablest members of the government...
政府里最聪明能干的成员之一
e.g. They are bright, intelligent,able and confident.
他们聪明又智慧，能干又自信。

Note thatable andcapable are both used to say that someone can do something. When you say that someone isable to do something, you mean that they can do it either because of their knowledge or skill, or because it is possible.He wondered if he would be able to climb over the rail... They were able to use their profits for new investments. Note that if you use a past tense, you are saying that someone has actually done something.We were able to reduce costs. When you say that someone iscapable of doing something, you mean either that they have the knowledge and skill to do it, or that they are likely to do it.The workers are perfectly capable of running the organization themselves... She was quite capable of falling asleep. You can say that someone iscapable of a particular feeling or action.He's capable of loyalty... Bowman could not believe him capable of murder. You can also use 'capable of' when talking about what something such as a car or machine can do.The car was capable of 110 miles per hour.If you describe someone asable orcapable, you mean that they do things well.He's certainly a capable gardener.
注意，able和capable都用来表示某人能做某事。able 既可表示因拥有某种知识或技能而能做某事，也可表示客观可能：He wondered if he would be able to climb over the rail (他不知自己能否攀过栏杆)，They were able to use their profits for new investments (他们得以将利润用于再投资)。要注意的是，如果用过去时，则表示实际做了该事：We were able to reduce costs (我们做到了降低成本)。capable既可表示具有做某事的技能或知识，也可表示做某事有较大的可能性:The workers are perfectly capable of running the organization themselves (工人完全能够自己管理这个机构)，She was quite capable of falling asleep (她很容易睡着)。capable 还可表示具有某种情感或能够做出某一行为：He's capable of loyalty (他能做到忠心耿耿)，Bowman could not believe him capable of murder (鲍曼无法相信他会杀人)。capable亦用于指汽车、机器等的性能：The car was capable of 110 miles per hour (这辆车时速可达110英里)。able或capable形容人时表示“有能力的”、“能力强的”：He's certainly a capable gardener (他绝对是一名能干的园丁)。

4.

1. 能：(蔬菜)a(蔬菜的,植物的)分尸法: ve getable 维生素(ve)能(able)从蔬菜(vegetable)中获得(get)10.no dress衣着不拘据闻演艺界的明星都爱开派对,在某一个化妆舞会中请谏中写道:nodress,某影星一丝不挂地去参加,推开门时,轰动全场.

2. 能够：再如vegetable(蔬菜),可以这样记:ve-get-able,能够(able)得到(get)维生素E(ve)的是蔬菜. 果然一下子就记住了. 有趣. 去看看吧,会有帮助的. 轻松拼词法背英语单词效果惊人

3. 能力：№.2 上承最开始的含义,这个时代的主要任务是提升能力和通过考试,能力(able)和考试(Test)成为当前时代的两大主题,作为时代主题的A和T必须作重点来抓. 而这里的能力和考试是广义和延伸的,泛指相关方面. 同时,提升能力不局限于考试,

4.able：agricultural biological literature exploitation; 农业生物学文献利用

We shall be able to deal with all sorts of problem.

我们应该能够应付各种困难。

She bet me 20 that I wouldn't be able to give up smoking.

她和我打20英镑的赌，说我戒不了烟。

Free will makes us able to choose our way of life.

自由的意志使我们可以选择自己的生活方式。

By no means was he able to handle it.

这件事他绝对没办法处理。

He is an able man.

他是一个能人。

Difficulties help to forge people into able folk.

困难有助于把人们锻炼成能干的人。

You must be able to speak French for this job.

干这项工作你得会说法语。

A viral illness left her barely able to walk.

一场病毒引起的疾病使她走路十分困难。

I didn't feel able to disagree with him.

我觉得无法不同意他的意见。

Will you be able to come?

你能来吗？

the ablest student in the class

班上最有才华的学生

We aim to help the less able in society to lead an independent life.

我们的宗旨是帮助社会上能力较弱的人独立生活。

They are bright, intelligent, able and confident.

他们聪明又智慧，能干又自信。

...one of the brightest and ablest members of the government...

政府里最聪明能干的成员之一

The older child should be able to prepare a simple meal...

那个年纪稍大的孩子应当会做一顿简单的饭菜。

The company say they're able to keep pricing competitive...

该公司说他们能够使定价保持竞争力。

You'll be able to read in peace...

你就能安心地读书了。

Have you been able to have any kind of contact?...

你联系上了吗？

We won't be able to tell what skills the man has until we try him out.

要等试用一个时期以后,我们才能知道这人有什么专长.

They are able to master the situation.

他们能够控制局势.

Ordinary people would then be able to use them to obtain valuable information.

那时平常的人便能运用它们去获取宝贵的信息.

Don't figure on going abroad this summer; we may not be able to afford it.

别指望今年夏天出国, 我们可能负担不起旅行费用.

An interval of a year elapsed before we were able to return.

隔了一年我们才得以返回.

Tazief was able to set up his camp very close to the volcano while it was erupting violently.

泰哲夫在火山猛烈爆发的时候,终于设法在离火山很近的地方搭起了帐蓬.

He was able to shoot down a flying bird with the bow and arrow.

他张弓搭箭能射落空中的飞鸟.

By playing upon the old lady's fears, the criminals were able to persuade her to give them her money.

罪犯们利用老太太恐惧的心理, 终于使她把钱交了出来.

With respect to your other proposals, I am not yet able to tell you our decision.

谈到你的其他建议, 我现在还无法把我们的决定告诉你.

I shall do what I can insofar as I am able.

在力所能及的情况下我将尽力而为.

The boy stumbled on the stairs but was able to keep his feet.

这男孩在楼梯上绊了一下,但没有跌倒.

I haven't been able to orient my ideas to the new conditions.

我还未能使自己的观点适应新情况.

He was able to hold back his anger and avoid a fight.

他忍住了怒气,避免了一场殴斗.

If we forge ahead continuously without a break, we'll be able to raise efficiency.

如果我们不停顿地继续前进, 我们就能提高效率.

I felt sure I would never be able to close the case again.

我肯定没有办法再把箱子关上了.

They were not able to prove these suspicions.

这些怀疑他们无法证实.

The chairman was able to steer the committee towards a decision.

主席能引导委员会作出决定.

用作定语～+sb

1. She is an able leader.
   她是一位有才干的领导。
2. He's an able speaker.
   他是个有水平的演说家。
3. He is an able actor.
   他是一位有才能的演员。
4. He is an able engineer.
   他是一位能干的工程师。
5. She is a very able driver.
   她车开得很好。
6. He was acknowledged as an able statesman.
   他被公认为是个有才干的政治家。
7. The able pilot successfully landed the crippled plane on the road.
   技术熟练的飞行员成功地把受损的飞机降落在马路上。
8. There are many able students in our institute.
   我们学校有许多有才华的学生。
9. She's an abler teacher than he is.
   同他相比,她是一个更为称职的老师。
10. Brooks is the most able student in the class.
    布鲁克斯是班上最有才华的学生。
11. He is the ablest man I know.
    他是我所认识的最有才干的人。
12. This problem is now being looked at by some of the ablest scientists in the country.
    现在全国最有才干的科学家正在研究这一问题。

～+sth

1. That's an able portrait.
   那是一幅笔法娴熟的肖像画。
2. The audience applauded his able speech.
   听众对他精彩的演说报以掌声。
3. The lawyer put forward an able defence of his client.
   那律师为其委托人做了一次漂亮的辩护。
4. The counterplot was an able achievement.
   这条对付别人计谋的妙计大获成功。
5. The man made a very able speech.
   那个人做了一次很出色的演讲。

n.+～

1. Ami is an infant barely able to walk.
   阿米是个刚会走的婴孩。

用作表语S+be+～

1. She seems very able.
   她好像很能干。
2. The general impression at the studio was that he was able.
   在这个画室获得的总的印象是他很有才能。
3. He could almost always get a job, because he was so able.
   因为他如此能干,所以他几乎总能找到工作。
4. As long as he was physically able, he went to work in the fields.
   只要身体行,他就下田干活。
5. As long as they are physically able,they tend to live on their own.
   只要体力能行，他们总是自食其力的。
6. He is the most able.
   他是我们中最能干的一个。
7. She's by far the ablest in the class.
   她是目前班上最聪明的一个。

S+be+～+ prep. -phrase

1. Leave real living to people who are able for it.
   把真正的生活留给有能力生活的人们吧。
2. Leave the work for those who are able for it.
   把这工作留给能干的人去做。
3. He felt able for the journey.
   他觉得能去旅行。
4. Mary is able for four helpings of dessert.
   玛丽一口气能吃四道甜食。
5. He was not able for much work.
   他不能做太多的工作。
6. He was not so able in management as expected.
   他不如人们所期望的那样善于管理。

be able to

能够做…事
S+be+～+to do sth

I am able to swim.

我会游泳。

She is quite able to teach.

她很会教书。

I am able to pay you now.

我现在能付给你钱了。

I don't think he is able to take any more bad news.

我想他再受不了更多的坏消息了。

I don't think he's able to do this type of work.

我认为他不能胜任这样的工作。

He is well able to take care of himself.

他很会照顾自己。

He is able to write music.

他会作曲。

He is financially able to establish a home.

他在经济上有能力成家。

I was in a small boat during the storm, but it stopped after half an hour and I was able to breathe again.

暴风雨期间我正在一艘小船上，但半个小时后暴风雨就停了，我这才松了一口气。

I was able to run away, but Tony wasn't.

我逃走了,但是托尼却未能逃脱。

He was able to jump into the sea before the boat was blown up.

船被炸掉以前他就跳到海里了。

In this way, he was able to solve the mystery.

就这样,他揭开了谜底。

By the time he graduated from college, he was able to speak three foreign languages.

大学毕业时,他已经能够说三种外语了。

The night was clear and we were able to see the stars.

夜空明朗,我们得以看见星星。

It was very difficult to make a heavy machine fly. But they were able to make it fly.

使很重的机器飞起来是很困难的,但是他们终于使它飞了起来。

Then they beached the ship on the shore where they were able to repair the damage.

然后他们把船拖到岸上,修好了破损的地方。

I'm sorry that I wasn't able to phone you yesterday.

对不起,昨天我没能打电话给你。

He was not able to see the difference.

他看不出差别来。

They will be able to finish the work tomorrow.

他们明天能完成这项工作。

I believe that you will be able to speak English fluently in one month.

我相信你一个月内能流利地说英语。

After studying differential calculus you will be able to solve these mathematical problems.

学了微积分之后,你们就能够解这些数学题了。

I hope you will be able to speak English better soon.

我希望你不久就能把英语讲得更好。

We shall be able to reach our destination tomorrow.

我们明天可以到达目的地了。

Have the nautical chart at your fingertips, and you'll be able to steer your ship.

熟水路才能划好船。

I won't be able to see him today.

今天我不可能去看他。

Will you be able to finish the work before Sunday?

你能在星期天前完成这项工作吗?

Will you be able to come this afternoon?

今天下午你能来吗?

Will she be able to cope with the work?

她能够应付这项工作吗？

He said that he was having financial difficulties and wasn't able to pay his bills.

他说他经济上有困难,无法付账。

I haven't been able to go.

我没能去成。

I haven't been able to get in touch with her.

我一直没能跟她联系上。

He has not been able to submit his report on time.

他没能如期交上报告。

He's never been able to admit to his mistake.

他从不承认自己的错误。

They have not been able to take a rest for three days.

他们已经一连三天未能休息了。

Had it not been for his help, they would not have been able to settle their dispute.

如果没有他的帮助,他们就不能解决他们的分歧。

I may be able to see you tomorrow.

我明天可能去看你。

You may not be able to discriminate between the sundry articles, but you can cross-check them.

不怕不识货,就怕货比货。

You might be able to persuade him.

也许你能够说服他。

If you give a blow, you must be able to take one.

如果你想打人一拳,就得能承受得住一击。

I used to be able to swim like a fish.

从前我能像鱼一般游泳。

The other planets may not be able to support life, but it isn't easy on this one either.

别的星球也许难以维持生命,可是在这个星球上也不容易。

He seemed able to put complicated thoughts in simple words.

也许他能用简洁的语言把复杂的思想表达出来。

I don't feel able to go on with reading it.

我感觉不能继续看下去了。

I hope to be able to do the work.

我希望能干得了这项工作。

I regret not being able to help her.

我很遗憾未能帮助她。

I love the house — it's wonderful being able to see the sea from my window.

我喜欢这房子——从我的窗口可以看见大海,太好了。

Paul isn't able to come to the party because he is ill.

保罗不能来参加聚会,因为他病了。

Mary's more able to help you than I am.

玛丽比我更能够帮助你。

Granny is still able to read without glasses.

奶奶还能够不戴眼镜看书呢。

My wife is able to sing and dance.

我妻子能歌善舞。

The young man is able to do great things.

那个年轻人能干大事。

The workers are able to improve the machine.

工人们能改进这台机器。

Most children are able to walk before they are able to talk.

多数孩子在会说话前就会走路了。

The patient was soon able to sit up.

病人很快就能坐起来了。

One day man will be able to control some unknown factors of weather.

总有一天人类能够控制天气的某些未知因素。

Birds are able to fly.

鸟儿会飞。

The dog is able to count.

那条狗能数数。

Is the electronic computer able to think?

电子计算机能够思考吗？

The satellites are able to observe the changes of climate on earth by means of remote sensors.

人造卫星能够利用遥感观测地球上的气候变化。

The answering machine is able to store messages that are up to two minutes in length.

录音电话能够录存长达两分钟的信息。

Heat is able to cure breast tumours in some animals.

高温可以治疗某些动物的乳房肿瘤。

The rage of a wild boar is able to spoil more than one wood.

野猪发怒毁树多。

Once you've had some sleep you'll feel better able to cope.

只要睡上一会儿，你就会觉得更能应付了。

David is more able to deal with this problem than I am.

大卫比我更有能力处理这个问题。

He was able to be heard.

他能被人听到。

A good auditorium will assure that the sound is able to be heard from every seat.

好的礼堂得保证每个座位的听众都听得到声音。

The difficulties were able to be overcome by the students of our class.

我们班的同学能够克服这些困难。

S+be+～+to be+ n\u002e/adj\u002e

He was able to be cold about her now. It was wartime. They were enemies.

此时，他得以对她表现冷酷，因为这是战时，他们又是仇人。

be able to cut

能办事，有管理能力
S+be+～+to cut sth

He's not able to cut his responsibilities like we thought.

他并不像我们想象的那样能很好地履行自己的职责。

Do you think you're able to cut it?

你看这件事你干得了吗？

be able to take

经受得住（某事）
S+be+～+to take sth

I don't think he is able to take any more bad news.

我想他再也经受不住坏消息了。

动词+～

• able">be able有能力；聪明，能干
• able">feel able感觉能够
• able">prove able证明有能力
• able">seem able看起来有能力；看上去聪明

～+名词

• able%20administrator">able administrator干练得力的行政官员
• able%20child">able child能干的孩子
• able%20defence">able defence漂亮的辩护
• able%20doctor">able doctor能干的大夫
• able%20fellow">able fellow能干的小伙子
• able%20helper">able helper得力的助手
• able%20lawyer">able lawyer能干的律师
• able%20leader">able leader有才干的领导人
• able%20man">able man能干的人
• able%20manager">able manager能干的经理
• able%20orator">able orator出色的演说家
• able%20performance">able performance有水平的演出
• able%20seaman">able seaman一等水兵
• able%20secretary">able secretary能干的秘书
• able%20speech">able speech有说服力的演说
• able%20student">able student有才能的学生
• able%20teacher">able teacher能力佳的教师
• able%20woman">able woman能干的女人
• able%20author">able author才华出众的作者
• able%20book">able book有分量的书

副词+～

• able">barely able仅能；勉强能；几乎不能
• able">better able更能够
• able">extremely able非常聪明；异常能干
• able">financially able经济上有能力
• able">fairly able颇聪明
• able">hardly able仅能；勉强能；几乎不能
• able">just able只能
• able">less able更不能
• able">more able更能够
• able">only just able仅能；勉强能；几乎不能
• able">perfectly able完全能够
• able">physically able体力上能行
• able">poorly able勉强能够
• able">quite able非常有能力
• able">reasonably able能力还可以
• able">scarcely able仅能；勉强能；几乎不能
• able">very able很有能力；非常聪明
• able">well able非常有能力

～+动词不定式

• able%20to%20answer">be able to answer有能力回答
• able%20to%20come">be able to come能够来
• able%20to%20cure">be able to cure能够治愈
• able%20to%20finish">be able to finish有能力完成
• able%20to%20go">be able to go能够去
• able%20to%20help">be able to help能够帮助
• able%20to%20inherit">be able to inherit有资格继承
• able%20to%20move">be able to move能移动
• able%20to%20persuade">be able to persuade能说服
• able%20to%20read">be able to read能读书
• able%20to%20see">be able to see能看见
• able%20to%20sit%20up">be able to sit up能坐起来
• able%20to%20swim">be able to swim会游泳
• able%20to%20teach">be able to teach有能力教
• able%20to%20vote">be able to vote有资格投票
• able%20to%20walk">be able to walk能行走

～+介词

• able%20for">be able for有能力做…
• able%20in">be able in善于…

• The Hands are the most habil members of the body.

  出自：T. Betterton

• And life, by this death abled, shall controule Death.

  出自：Donne

交通

B：You (should/ will) beable to find it from there.
在那儿你（应该/可以）找到的。

A：O.K. Thank you.
好的，谢谢你。

生日快乐

A：Thanks for inviting me. And happy birthday, Julia.
朱莉亚，谢谢你邀请我，生日快乐,。

B：Many thanks for your presence. I’m so glad you areable to come.
非常谢谢你的礼物。我很高兴你能来。

缺货

B：Were youable to quote on all the items we need ?
我们需要的每个项目你都能报价吗。

A：No, not all of them .
不，没办法全部。

B：Oh ?why not ?
哦，为什么？

able的反义词

A：We aren‘table to supply the third ad fifth items .
第三及第五项目，我们没有货供应。

adj.(形容词)

1. able是具有评价意义的形容词,用于表示人的某种特点。able有两层含义:一是“能够”(尤用于不使用can或could的时态中); 二是“能干”。前者指因具有体力、智力、技能、时间、财力或机遇等而具有某种能力,通常也指应付一件事情的能力，有时还可表示“称职的”。后者指具有某种才干,即在智力、技巧、知识或能力等方面超过平均水平,胜人一筹,不仅指聪明,也含有经受过实际锻炼之意。
2. able作“能够…的”解时,一般用作表语,其后多接动词不定式(不接“of+动名词”),也可接介词短语。作“有能力的,能干的”解时,可用作定语、表语或补语。able接动词不定式时，其主语、able及动词不定式均存在逻辑上的主谓关系。
3. able用作表语时主语通常是人,也可为动物,偶尔也可为事物（多见于科技文体）。able用作定语时主要修饰人,也可修饰人所做的事,指事情做得好或做得成功。这样用时也暗示做成该事的人有才能。
4. 除be外, able还可用在其他系动词如seem, feel等之后。
5. able作“聪明的,能干的”解时可受副词very, quite, more, better, poorly等修饰。
6. able作“能够…的”解时比较级和最高级可用abler/ablest,也可用more able/most able。作“聪明的,能干的”解时比较级和最高级用abler/ablest。

1. able常以be able + 不定式的形式出现，与can 同义。有些具体情况下只能用 be able，而不能用 can。

   Some people are able to/can walk on their hands.

   One day，scientists will be able to find a cure for cancer.
   （NOT...will can find...)

2. 后面的不定式通常不属于被动语态。

   The mistake is able to be corrected.
   该句应改作The mistake is capable of being corrected.

3. 指能力时，不一定意味着实行，如“经过了两个月的步行，他们到达了目的地”通常不说 After a two-month tramp, they were able to reach their destination.而是用 After a two-month tramp they reached their destination。

adj.(形容词)

able, capable

这两个词都可表示“能干的”“有能力的”“有才能的”。其区别是：

1.able常指做某事所需要的力量、技巧、知识、才干等,一般与效率无关,含有“精明能干,超过一般水平”的意思; capable指满足一般要求的能力,可以是表现出来的,也可以是潜在的。故可以说able表示的能力要比capable高。试比较下面两句:

He is a capable lawyer.

他是位能干的律师。

He is an able lawyer.

他是位颇有才干的律师。

2.able一般用于褒义或正面意义；而capable既可用于褒义或正面意义,也可用于贬义或负面意义。试比较下面两句:

He's an able man who you can fall back on.

他是个能干的人,你可以依靠他。

The scandal is capable of the basest tricks.

这个坏蛋什么卑鄙的勾当都干得出来。

3.able一般用于有生命的人或动物,即使是用于指一件做得很成功的事,其含义也重在表示做成该事的人有才能; 而capable则可用于无生命的事物。试比较下面两句:

The doctor performs a very able operation.

那大夫做了一个很成功的手术。

Glass, which breaks at a blow, is, nevertheless, cap- able of withstanding great pressure.

玻璃尽管一击就碎,却能承受很大的压力。

4.用作表语时, able后接动词不定式; capable后接“of+名词或动名词”。试比较下面两句:

He is able to look after〔capable of looking after〕 him- self now.

现在他自己能照顾自己了。

He is capable of hard work.

他能胜任艰苦的工作。

5.able一般指暂时现象,而capable则可指经常性现象。试比较下面两句:

She is not able to dance tonight.她今晚不能跳舞。

The lame girl is not capable of learning to dance.

这个跛脚的姑娘学不了舞蹈。

6.able仅指主动地做某事的能力,而capable有时可指被动的承受能力或适应能力。试比较下面两句:

He is able to overcome all kinds of difficulties.

他能克服各种困难。

This car is capable of carrying five persons.

这辆轿车可载客5人。

able, enable

这两个词都可接动词不定式。其区别在于:

1.able to- v 的意思是“能够”; 而enable to- v 的意思是“使能够”。

2.able是形容词; 而enable是动词,其后须接宾语。

be able to, can

这两者都有“能”的意思。其区别在于:

1.can还可表示“可以”“可能”,即具有某种感情色彩。例如:

Can I come in?我可以进来吗?

That can't be true.那不可能是真的。

以上两句都不可换用be able to。

2.can只有现在时和过去时两种形式,而be able to则有多种时态形式。试比较下面两句:

Will you be able to come tomorrow?

你明天能来吗?(将来时)

This factory has been able to produce newly-devised sewing machines.

这家工厂已能生产新设计的缝纫机了。(完成时)

3.在be able to之前可加用另外一个助动词,且多用于否定或疑问结构,而can则无此用法。

4.用于否定结构, be able to表达一时情况,而can则表达往常情况。试比较下面两句:

He is not able to swim today.

他今天不能游泳。

He can't swim at all.

他根本不会游泳。

5.be able to后可接系表结构,表示一种状态或性质;而can没有这种用法。例如:

He was able to be cold about her now.他现在对她可能有些冷淡。

6.be able to有非谓语动词形式,而can则没有。例如:

I hope to be able to do the work.我希望能做这项工作。

was/were able to, could

这两者的共同意思是“过去能够”。其区别在于:

1.was/were able to只能表示一次性事件,不能表示经常性事件; 而could可以用来表示习惯性动作的完成。例如:

I could run after a bus and catch it twenty years ago, but I can't do that now.20年前我能追上公共汽车,现在不行了。

2.was/were able to不仅表示过去的能力与可能性,还表示“能够并确实做到”,相当于managed to do,而且重点往往在于“成功地实行”; 而could主要表示“潜在的能力”。例如:

I was able to pass the examination.

我成功地通过了考试。

I could pass the examination.

我曾有能力通过考试。

但在否定句中,这种“潜能”与“完成”的区别就不存在了。两者都可以表示动作的未完成。例如:

I ran after the bus, but couldn't〔wasn't able to〕 catch it.我跑着追那辆公共汽车,但没能追上。

able，capable，competent

这些形容词均含有“有能力的，能干的”之意

able最常用词，多用于褒义，着重指多方面的，经常性的，或潜在性的能力。有时也指高超、非凡的能力。

capable语气弱于able，指有能力、有潜力或有条件做某事，常与of连用。

competent强调具有能胜任某项工作的足够技能或其它所需的条件。

adj.(形容词)

经过两个月的步行，他们到达了目的地。

误 After a two-month tramp they were able to reach their destination.

正 After a two-month tramp they reached their destination.

正 After a two-month tramp they succeeded in reaching their destination.

正 After a two-month tramp they managed to reach their destination.

析 able指能力，不一定意味着实行。已经达到了目的，就不仅仅是能力了。

这工作无法在一周内完成。

误 This work wasn't able to be finished in a week.

正 This work can't be finished in a week.

星期天可以见你。

误 It will be able to see you on Sunday.

正 It will be possible to see you on Sunday.

星期日我能见你。

误 I'll be possible to see you on Sunday.

正 I'll be able to see you on Sunday.

析 非生物名词作主语时用can或be possible to；“人”作主语时才用be able to。

• ☆ 14世纪中期进入英语，直接源自古法语的（h)able；最初源自拉丁语的habilis，意为便利的，适合保持的。