be able to - being able to

[aysaa]

Hello,

Can we use 'be able to + V1' for the current time or must we use 'being able to + V1' instead of it?

1) Why am I not being able to use facebook right now?
2) Why am I not able to use facebook right now?

1) Watch me, Mum.. I can stand on one leg.
2) Watch me, Mum.. I am able stand on one leg.

What is the difference between 2 examples? Can we use the second instead of the first one? Because the happening of using facebook is right now, not something general.

Thanks.

 

[emsr2d2]

Hello,

Can we use 'be able to + V1' for the current time or must we use 'being able to + V1' instead of it?

1) Why am I not being able to use Facebook right now?
2) Why am I not able to use Facebook right now?
We only occasionally use the continuous with "to be". With your example, we would say either sentence 2 or "Why can't I use Facebook right now?"

1) Watch me, Mum.. I can stand on one leg.
2) Watch me, Mum.. I am able to stand on one leg.
With the addition of "to" after "able", those two are identical. "I can" = "I am able to".

What is the difference between the 2 examples? Can we use the second instead of the first one? Because the happening of using Facebook is right now, not something general.
It wouldn't matter if it was general or only referred to a period of a few minutes.
Why can't I use Facebook right now?
Why can't I use Facebook this week?

Thanks.

See my responses in red above.