[Grammar] be able to vs could

Status
Not open for further replies.

tom3m

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2011
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
Czech
Home Country
Czech Republic
Current Location
Czech Republic
In Michael Lewis's book The English Verb: An Exploration of Structure and Meaning I found this:

My doctor can say I can see you tomorrow or I ’m able to see you tomorrow.
Both are possible, and they are different. Difference of form implies difference
of meaning, and that difference can be understood.

How do the sentences in bold differ in meaning.?
 

Barb_D

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
I see no difference in intended meaning between "I'm able to see you tomorrow" and "I can see you tomorrow."

What does Mr. Lewis say is different about them?
 

tom3m

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2011
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
Czech
Home Country
Czech Republic
Current Location
Czech Republic
I do not know. Here is the full paragraph:

8. Paradigms do not need to be complete


My doctor can say I can see you tomorrow or I ’m able to see you tomorrow.
Both are possible, and they are different. Difference of form implies difference
of meaning, and that difference can be understood. In those
circumstances it is nonsense to pretend that “the infinitive of can is to be
able to. :)

But I would let it go if it conveys the same meaning.
 

bhaisahab

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
Ireland
I don't find "I'm able to see you tomorrow" to be a very natural sentence.
 

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
I don't find "I'm able to see you tomorrow" to be a very natural sentence.

Nether do I, but if I heard it, I would assume a greater degree of concession from the doctor- squeezing me in to a busy schedule.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top