2. 用于 be able to do sth(能或會(huì)做做某事)。如:
He is able to speak English. 他會(huì)說(shuō)英語(yǔ)。
Everyone here is able to type. 這兒的每一個(gè)人都會(huì)打字。
He will be able to get about in a week or two. 再過(guò)一兩個(gè)星期左右他就能走動(dòng)了。
He studied hard and was able to pass his examinations. 他學(xué)習(xí)很努力,所以考試及了格。
注:be able to 不僅有多種時(shí)態(tài)形式(通常不用于進(jìn)行時(shí)或與 be going to 連用),而且還可以與某些情態(tài)動(dòng)詞連用(通常不與 can 連用),甚至還可以有非謂語(yǔ)形式。如:
Since his accident he hasn’t been able to leave the house. 自出事之后,他一直未能離開(kāi)家。
You might be able to persuade him. 你也許能夠說(shuō)服他。
I hope to be able to do the work. 我希望能干得了這項(xiàng)工作。
I regret not being able to help her. 我很遺憾未能幫助她。
3. able 的比較級(jí)和最高級(jí)通常是 abler 和 ablest,也可以是 more able 和 most able,有時(shí)還可用 better able和best able。如:
You are better able to do it than I (am). 你比我更有能力做這件事。
She’s the person best able to cope. 她是個(gè)最能妥善處理問(wèn)題的人。
4. 若要加強(qiáng)語(yǔ)氣,其前除可very, quite, perfectly等修飾外,有時(shí)還可用well修飾。如:
He is quite [well] able to take care of himself. 他完全有能力照顧自己。
He’s a very able student; he’s just too lazy. 他是個(gè)很有能力的學(xué)生,只是太懶了。
若受just, only just修飾,則表示“只能”“僅能”。如:
I was just able to make out a dark figure in the distance. 我只能看見(jiàn)遠(yuǎn)處有個(gè)黑影。
5. able的反義詞是unable(不能的,不會(huì)的),不是disable,后者是動(dòng)詞,其意為“使殘廢”“使無(wú)能力”。比較:
They were unable to reach a decision. 他們沒(méi)法做出決定。
Now that he was disabled, his house had become a prison to him. 因?yàn)樗麣垙U了,他的房子就成了他的牢籠。