INDEX:
1. to be able to do something
2. when a situation makes it possible for you to do something
3. to be allowed to do something or have the power to do it
4. the ability to do something
5. to make someone able to do something
6. to be unable to do something
7. when a situation makes it impossible for you to do something
8. when you are not allowed or do not have the power to do something
RELATED WORDS
be allowed to do something : ↑ LET/ALLOW (4)
to succeed in doing something : ↑ SUCCEED/SUCCESSFUL
see also
↑ POSSIBLE
↑ IMPOSSIBLE
↑ FAIL
↑ STOP (24)
↑ BAD AT DOING STH
◆◆◆
1. to be able to do something
▷ can /kən strong kæn/ [modal verb]
▪ ‘I don’t think Mike can type.’ ‘Yes, he can.’
can do something
▪ He can run faster than me.
▪ Can you see the TV, or should I move?
▪ This program can translate your e-mail into other languages.
▪ How many hamburgers do you think you can eat?
▪ Adrian could read when he was four.
▪ If we had a boat we could row across to the island.
▪ Why didn’t they ask me? I could have done it for them for half the price.
▷ be able to do something /biː ˌeɪb ə l tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase]
if you are able to do something, you can do it - use this especially about something that needs a lot of effort, skill, or knowledge :
▪ Those bags look really heavy - are you sure you’ll be able to carry them on your own?
▪ After the accident it was a long time before she was able to walk again.
▪ To take the class, you have to be able to use a computer.
be able to
▪ My grandpa’s getting old now and he can’t do all the things he used to be able to.
▷ be capable of something /biː ˈkeɪpəb ə l əv something/ [verb phrase]
to have the ability, energy, or qualities needed to do something, especially something very difficult or unusual - use this about people or machines :
▪ He’s a very angry kid, but he’s not capable of murder.
be capable of doing something
▪ The missiles are capable of travelling about 700 miles.
▪ Around 7 or 8, children are already capable of making their own moral evaluations.
be perfectly capable of doing something
used to emphasize that you are definitely capable of doing something
▪ Leave the boy alone, I’m sure he’s perfectly capable of fixing it himself.
▷ have the ability to do something /hæv ði əˌbɪlə̇ti tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase not in progressive]
to be able to do something, especially something that is unusual or that most people cannot do :
▪ She seemed to have the ability to make people do anything she wanted.
▪ I believe the team definitely has the ability to win the championship.
▷ be equipped to do something /biː ɪˌkwɪpt tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase]
to be able to do something, especially to deal with a particular problem, because you have been properly prepared or had the right training :
▪ By the end of the course, students should be equipped to deal with any business situation.
▪ The emergency services are well equipped to cope with disasters of this kind.
▷ have it in you /ˌhæv ɪt ˈɪn juː/ [verb phrase not in progressive]
to have the ability and the qualities of character needed to do something difficult, especially when you or other people doubt that you can do it :
▪ I admired the way you refused to let him bully you - I didn’t think you had it in you.
have it in you to do something
▪ No one thought I would win, but I knew I had it in me to do it if I really tried.
▷ know how to do something /ˌnəʊ haʊ tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase not in progressive]
to be able to do something, because you know a way of a doing it, especially something practical such as operating a machine :
▪ Do you know how to use this computer?
▪ I’d turn the thing off if only I knew how.
▷ be in a position to do something /biː ɪn ə pəˌzɪʃ ə n tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase]
to have enough knowledge, money, or equipment to do something :
▪ Once the loan is paid off, Jones will be in a position to run the casino himself.
▪ We will have to run more tests before we are in a position to say whether the document is authentic or not.
be in a good/excellent/better position to do something
▪ When I’ve read the whole report I’ll be in a better position to comment.
2. when a situation makes it possible for you to do something
▷ can /kən strong kæn/ [modal verb]
▪ I’ll call you if I can, but I’m going to be pretty busy.
can do something
▪ Can you come to my place tomorrow and help me move some furniture?
▪ I don’t have an appointment, but I wonder if the dentist could see me today.
▪ I hope we can find a parking space.
▪ You can probably get most of the information you need from the Internet.
▷ be able to do something /biː ˌeɪb ə l tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase]
▪ She was able to get her watch repaired the same day.
▪ Because of the drop in stock prices, investors were able to find some bargains this week.
▷ it is possible for somebody to do something /ɪt ɪz ˌpɒsə̇b ə l fəʳ somebody tə ˈduː something/ spoken
use this especially when you are making an arrangement with someone in order to ask or say what someone will be able to do :
▪ Would it be possible for you to come to a meeting on Tuesday?
▪ It might be possible to use the school library on Saturdays.
▷ get to do something /ˌget tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase not in progressive]
to be able to do something that you have wanted to do for a long time, or something that you are not usually allowed to do :
▪ We actually got to meet the president when he was here last week.
▪ Do I get to stay up late when Dad comes home from his business trip?
3. to be allowed to do something or have the power to do it
▷ can /kən ; strong kæn/ [modal verb]
▪ If you want to come with us, you can.
can do something
▪ It’s my house and I can do whatever I want here.
▪ Can I use your computer?
▪ At that time, the king could simply have his enemies imprisoned or shot.
▷ be able to do something /biː ˌeɪb ə l tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase]
use this especially when a law or rule makes it possible for someone to do something :
▪ You might be able to get a temporary passport.
▪ Consumers are now able to buy the drug without a prescription.
▷ have the power to do something /hæv ðə ˌpaʊəʳ tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase not in progressive]
to be able to do something because your official position gives you the authority to do it :
▪ The judge has the power to order a witness to give evidence.
▪ Each state had the power to make its own laws.
▷ be in a position to do something /biː ɪn ə pəˌzɪʃ ə n tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase]
to have the official authority to do something or have the moral right to do something :
▪ Only the governor is now in a position to stop the execution.
▪ Well, given her appalling record, she’s not in any position to criticize my work.
4. the ability to do something
▷ ability /əˈbɪlɪti, əˈbɪləti/ [countable/uncountable noun]
the physical or mental skill or knowledge that makes you able to do something :
▪ The course material depends on the level of ability of the student.
ability to do something
▪ Our ability to think and speak makes us different from other animals.
▪ Luckily, she had innate ability to judge people quickly and accurately.
somebody’s abilities as a teacher/doctor etc
▪ Harmon decided to create a business out of his abilities as a speaker.
▷ capability /ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlɪti, ˌkeɪpəˈbɪləti/ [countable/uncountable noun]
the ability of a person, machine etc to do something, especially something difficult that needs a lot of knowledge, skill, advanced equipment etc :
▪ Man Ray explored the capabilities of the camera to their fullest extent.
capability to do something
▪ It is unclear whether the country has the capability to produce nuclear weapons.
capability of doing something
▪ This computer system gives the user the capability of accessing huge amounts of data.
▷ capacity /kəˈpæsɪti, kəˈpæsəti/ [singular noun]
use this especially about a very great ability to do something or to behave in a particular way :
capacity for
▪ He has an enormous capacity for hard work.
▪ Cheryl’s capacity for understanding and compassion is impressive.
capacity to do something
▪ Children have a remarkable capacity to learn language.
▷ skill /skɪl/ [countable noun]
a special ability that you need to learn in order to do a particular job or activity :
▪ These exercises develop the student’s reading and writing skills.
▪ You need computer skills for most office jobs.
▪ Being a good manager requires a number of highly specialized skills.
▷ competence /ˈkɒmpɪtəns, ˈkɒmpətənsǁˈkɑːm-/ [uncountable noun]
the ability and skill to do what is needed :
▪ The level of competence among hospital staff was not as high as expected.
▪ Understanding the instructions requires a ninth grade reading competence.
▷ power /ˈpaʊəʳ/ [countable noun]
a natural ability to do something, especially to see, hear, speak etc :
the power of sight/speech/hearing etc
▪ She was so surprised that for a few seconds she lost the power of speech.
▪ The ostrich is a bird that no longer has the power of flight.
power to do something
▪ Doctors cannot explain why some people lack the power to fight off the disease.
▷ powers /ˈpaʊəʳz/ [plural noun]
powers of judgement/reasoning/persuasion etc
the ability to do something that involves mental effort or skill, such as persuading, forming an opinion, thinking etc :
▪ This problem is designed to test your powers of observation.
▪ Teachers have the responsibility to develop students’ powers of critical thinking.
▪ She impressed us all with her dazzling intellectual powers.
▷ faculties /ˈfæk ə ltiz/ [plural noun]
the natural abilities that everyone normally has, for example the ability to think, see, hear, and speak :
▪ As we age we begin to lose some of our faculties.
in full possession of your faculties
▪ Although he was dying, he remained in full possession of his faculties.
▷ resources /rɪˈzɔːʳsɪz, rɪˈzɔːʳsəz/ [plural noun]
qualities such as courage and a strong mind that you need in order to deal with a difficult situation :
▪ She’s tough - I’m sure she has the emotional resources to handle it.
▪ The new work stretches the physical resources of the company’s dancers.
▷ aptitude /ˈæptɪtjuːd, ˈæptətjuːdǁ-tuːd/ [countable noun usually singular]
the natural ability that someone has to learn a new subject or activity and become good at it :
▪ A trainee with normal aptitude can learn these techniques in a few months.
aptitude for
▪ At an early age Susan showed an aptitude for languages.
aptitude test
▪ All applicants are given aptitude tests before being invited for interview.
5. to make someone able to do something
▷ enable somebody to do something /ɪˌneɪb ə l somebody tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase not in passive]
▪ The money from my grandmother enabled us to buy the house.
▪ The programme is designed to enable young people to find work.
▷ make it possible /ˌmeɪk ɪt ˈpɒsə̇b ə lǁ-ˈpɑː-/ [verb phrase]
to provide the conditions in which someone is able to do something :
make it possible to do something
▪ The direct flight makes it possible to get from London to Tokyo in 12 hours.
make it possible for somebody to do something
▪ The loan made it possible for him to continue his education.
make something possible
▪ I’d like to thank everyone - my family, my friends - who helped to make the whole thing possible.
▷ allow somebody to do something/let somebody do something /əˌlaʊ somebody tə ˈduː something, ˌlet somebody ˈduː something/ [verb phrase]
if a piece of equipment or a service allows you to do something or lets you do it, it provides what you need to be able to do it :
▪ The web site allows you to order groceries over the Internet.
▪ The telephone service lets users see who is calling before they pick up the phone.
▷ equip /ɪˈkwɪp/ [transitive verb]
if education or training equips you to do something, especially something such as a particular kind of job, it prepares you and makes you able to do it :
equip somebody to do something
▪ The school aims to equip students to deal with the kind of problems they will face in the outside world.
equip somebody for
▪ Her privileged upbringing had not equipped her for hard work in the fields.
6. to be unable to do something
▷ can’t/cannot /kɑːntǁkænt, ˈkænət, -nɒtǁ-nɑːt/ [modal verb]
▪ ‘Will you help me move this?’ ‘I’m sorry, I can’t - my back’s still giving me trouble.’
can’t/cannot do something
▪ Louise can’t see anything without her glasses.
▪ He couldn’t remember where he had left the car.
▪ I could never have climbed that ridge - I’m too out of shape.
▪ Scientists still cannot explain exactly how the virus reproduces.
▪ Sarah could not understand why anyone would want to hurt her.
▷ not be able to do something /ˌnɒt biː ˌeɪb ə l tə ˈduː (something)/ [verb phrase]
- use this especially in the past or future tense :
▪ Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to help them.
▪ I’m afraid I won’t be able to come to the meeting after all.
▪ The doctor told Tina she wouldn’t be able to have children.
▪ I’ve looked all over the house but I haven’t been able to find my keys anywhere.
▷ be unable to do something /biː ʌnˌeɪb ə l tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase] especially written
to not be able to do something, especially something important that you want to do or need to do :
▪ He lay awake all night, unable to sleep.
▪ The surgery left her unable to walk for nearly three months.
▷ inability to do something /ɪnəˌbɪlɪti tə ˈduː , ɪnəˌbɪləti tə ˈduː something/ [noun phrase]
the fact that someone is unable to do something, used especially when you are annoyed with them because you think they are too weak, lazy etc to do it :
▪ Her actions show an inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality.
somebody’s inability to do something
▪ He even blamed his parents for his inability to make friends.
▪ Voters are becoming frustrated at the inability of the administration to do anything about the debt crisis.
▷ be incapable/not be capable /biː ɪnˈkeɪpəb ə l, nɒt biː ˈkeɪpəb ə l/ [verb phrase]
to not have the physical or mental ability to do something - often used when you are criticizing someone :
be incapable/not be capable of
▪ Matthew seemed to be incapable of keeping a job.
▪ She’s no longer capable of taking care of herself.
▪ Nero was a cruel man, utterly incapable of pity or sympathy.
▷ not be in a position to do something/be in no position to do something /nɒt biː ɪn ə pəˌzɪʃ ə n tə ˈduː something, biː ɪn ˌnəʊ pəˌzɪʃ ə n tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase] informal
to not be able to do something because you do not have enough knowledge, money, or authority :
▪ I’m afraid I’m not in a position to answer your questions.
▪ Local school boards are in no position to pay for the extra cost of the curriculum.
scarcely/hardly in a position to do something
▪ The US is hardly in a position to criticize other countries for wasting energy supplies.
▷ not be equipped/be ill-equipped /nɒt biː ɪˈkwɪpt, biː ˌɪl ɪˈkwɪpt/ [verb phrase]
to be unable to do something because you do not have the right training or experience :
not be equipped/be ill-equipped to do something
▪ The young teacher wasn’t equipped to deal with such a difficult class.
▪ The organization is ill-equipped to deal with the problems it may encounter.
not be equipped/be ill-equipped for
▪ After so many years in prison, Victor was not equipped for life on the outside.
▷ not know how to do something /nɒt nəʊ ˌhaʊ tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase not in progressive]
to be unable to do something, especially something practical, because you have not learned how to do it :
▪ I didn’t know how to drive a car till I was 28.
▪ A lot of the doctors here still don’t know how to use the new equipment.
7. when a situation makes it impossible for you to do something
▷ can’t/cannot /kɑːntǁkænt, ˈkænət, -nɒtǁ-nɑːt/ [modal verb]
▪ Look, I know I said I’d come, but I can’t.
can’t/cannot do something
▪ I can’t go out to lunch today, I have too much work to do.
▪ The doctor cannot see you without a prior appointment.
▷ not be able to do something /ˌnɒt biː ˌeɪb ə l tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase]
- use this especially in the past or future tense :
▪ She has a meeting with her boss tomorrow, so she won’t be able to come.
▪ With everything that’s been happening at the office lately, I haven’t been able to spend much time at home.
▷ be unable to do something /biː ʌnˌeɪb ə l tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase]
use this especially when you want to be polite about the fact that someone cannot do something :
▪ I’m sorry, but Mrs Jones is unable to see you now. Please come back at 6 o'clock.
▪ The Pope was unable to attend, due to illness.
▷ it is not possible for somebody to do something /ɪt ɪz nɒt ˌpɒsə̇b ə l fəʳ somebody tə ˈduː something ǁ-ˌpɑː-/ [verb phrase]
used especially when you want to give an excuse or reason for not doing something :
▪ I have a full schedule all next week, so I’m afraid it won’t be possible for me to see you then.
▪ We had so many other orders that it wasn’t possible to deliver yours any earlier.
8. when you are not allowed or do not have the power to do something
▷ can’t/cannot /kɑːntǁkænt, ˈkænət, -nɒtǁ-nɑːt/ [modal verb]
▪ ‘I really want to see that movie.’ ‘You can’t. You’re not old enough.’
can’t/cannot do something
▪ The manager can’t fire you for being pregnant.
▪ Members of the public cannot enter the building unless they have an identity card.
▪ In those days a woman could not divorce her husband except in the most extreme cases.
▷ not be able to do something /ˌnɒt biː ˌeɪb ə l tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase]
use this when a law or rule does not allow someone to do something :
▪ If you don’t have a library card, you won’t be able to borrow any books.
▪ You won’t be able to get back into the country without your passport.
▷ not have the power to do something/it is not in your power to do something /nɒt hæv ðə ˌpaʊəʳ tə ˈduː something, ɪt ɪz nɒt ɪn jɔːʳ ˌpaʊəʳ tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase not in progressive]
to be unable to do something because your job does not give you the authority or right to do it :
▪ It is not in her power to increase your salary, but she can recommend it.
▪ Individual states do not have the power to declare war.
▷ not be in a position to do something /nɒt bi ɪn ə pəˌzɪʃ ə n tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase]
to be unable to do something because you do not have the authority or the moral right to do it :
▪ The agency is not in a position to negotiate or make decisions.
▷ be out of somebody’s hands/be no longer in somebody’s hands /biː ˌaʊt əv somebodyˈs ˈhændz, biː nəʊ ˌlɒŋgər ɪn somebodyˈs ˈhændzǁ-ˌlɔːŋ-/ [verb phrase]
if a problem or situation is out of someone’s hands, they are no longer responsible for dealing with it because it has been taken over by someone with more power, or because it must now be decided according to the law :
▪ The matter is out of our hands now - we’ll just have to wait to see what the judge decides.
▪ It’s no longer in my hands, I’m afraid - I’ve sent a report about your son’s behaviour to the police.
▷ somebody’s hands are tied / somebodyˈs ˌhændz əʳ ˈtaɪd/
if someone’s hands are tied they cannot do what they want because of particular conditions or rules made by someone else :
▪ The company’s hands are tied because of government regulations.
▪ I’d like to help you, but you missed the deadline. I’m afraid my hands are tied.
▷ powerless /ˈpaʊəʳləs/ [adjective]
unable to control or stop something because you do not have the power or legal right to do this :
▪ The average citizen feels completely powerless faced with the rising tide of crime and violence.
powerless to do something
▪ Although we all thought the decision was unfair, we were powerless to change it.
powerless against
▪ Citizens imprisoned for their political beliefs are powerless against the government.
powerlessness [uncountable noun]
▪ For many, feelings of powerlessness lead to complete apathy or depression.
▷ ineligible /ɪnˈelɪdʒəb ə l, ɪnˈelədʒəb ə l/ [adjective]
if you are ineligible to take part in something or to receive something, you do not have the legal right to do this :
▪ Police found that many of the people on the list were ineligible voters.
ineligible for
▪ People with higher incomes are ineligible for the government benefits.
ineligible to do something
▪ Because he no longer lives in the district, he is ineligible to run for re-election.