nuances in ability

[ctivnan]

We use 'can' to express ability, but there are also other expressions used for this. They only differ in the degree of difficulty.

CAN vs BE ABLE TO vs MANAGE TO


CAN
- plain ability

e.g. Paolo can swim.

BE ABLE TO
- ability to do /overcome something difficult

e.g. Paolo is able to swim 200 meters in spite of his ill condition.


MANAGE TO
- ability to do / overcome something very difficult.

e.g. After the boat crashed, Paolo managed to swim toward the shore for three hours.

:burnout::burnout::burnout::burnout::burnout:

[Zahir]

:wave: THANKS!

[cmo]

So "COULD" falls under ability and it is used in the past form to express politeness?

:there:

[ctivnan]

Hello cmo!

You seem to be confusing this thread with another thread (shown below).

The use of COULD in the present tense in the example you had given refers to REQUESTING.

"Could you help me." - a polite way of requesting help from another person.

N.B.
Modals usually have more than one function. In this case, COULD can be both a past ability and used for requesting.

What do you think, cmo? :smoking2:

[cmo]

Ok, what happened? What did I do?

Most likely I was sleeping when I answered this thread!

Thanks for the observation!

:D :D :D

[ctivnan]

Good morning to you then!!! I hope that woke you up! :lol:

Have a good day! :BU:

[mistah007]

And how about the difference in using the word "CAN" and "MAY/MAY I"...
Ex... Which is more appropriate in this conversation. In a telephone conversation
A. Hello! may I talk to or
B. Hello! can I talk to
Are they both acceptable or exhibit one is more appropriate? Thanks

[ctivnan]

And how about the difference in using the word "CAN" and "MAY/MAY I"...
Ex... Which is more appropriate in this conversation. In a telephone conversation
A. Hello! may I talk to or
B. Hello! can I talk to
Are they both acceptable or exhibit one is more appropriate? Thanks

Hello Mistah007!

CAN and MAY are both used to ask for permission.

e.g.
Can I talk to/with Paul?
Can I have a glass of water, please.
May I talk to/with Paul?
May I have a glass of water, please?

N.B.

CAN
- the use of "can" is more common and is normally preferred in an informal setting.

COULD
- can also be used to ask for permission; it is also more common than "may" and is considered more polite or formal than "can."

MAY
- the use of "may" is more formal than "can."

MIGHT
- can also be used to ask for permission; it is considered formal; however, it is rarely used in this sense, as it conveys the meaning of being "hesitant."

Now to answer your question. Exhibit A (...may I...) is considered formal and if you are in a very formal set-up; then, that's the way to go. In Business English, people tend to use Exhibit A more than Exhibit B (... can I...).

I hope this info helps!

Cheers! :DANCER:

[mistah007]

Thanks prof ctivan for the long and water clear reply, Highly appreciate it.... Hope you won't get tired of answering our queries.:smilie3:

[ctivnan]

Thanks prof ctivan for the long and water clear reply, Highly appreciate it.... Hope you won't get tired of answering our queries.:smilie3:

My pleasure, mistah! Glad it helped! :Cat Smiley 6117:

[mistah007]

My pleasure, mistah! Glad it helped! :Cat Smiley 6117:


Sorry for the misspelled name MS. CTIVNAN... I'm bad.....:perspiring:

[ctivnan]

Sorry for the misspelled name MS. CTIVNAN... I'm bad.....:perspiring:

No worries, mistah007! :coffeedrink:

[kamagra]

Thanks prof ctivan for the long and water clear reply, Highly appreciate it.... Hope you won't get tired of answering our queries.