你分得清楚can, able, capable吗?

An epidemic like this is able to claim thousands of lives. ( )

An epidemic like this is capable of claiming thousands of lives. ( )

An epidemic like this can claim thousands of lives. ( )

(像这样的疫情是能够夺走几千条人命的。)

论能力时，be able to 须用人当主语，如: He was able to write poems at the ag oef seven. (他七岁时便能写诗。) 至于 be capable of (doing) sth 或 can + V，则用人或物作主语皆可。

A small child is able to make big trouble. ( )

A small child is capable of making big trouble. ( )

A small child can make big trouble. ( )

(年纪小的孩子也可能闯大祸。)

be able to 表“（某人）具有……的能力”。be capable of (doing) sth 或 can + V ，除表“能力”外，还具有“有……的可能性”之含意。

Please read it aloud. I am not able to hear you. ( )

Please read it aloud. I can't hear you. ( )

(请读得大声点，我听不见。)

She is not able to decide what to buy. ( )

She can't decide what to buy. ( )

(她无法决定该买什么。)

感官动词 (see，hear，smell) 和表示心理活动的动词 (understand, decide, remember) 常与 can / can't 搭配使用。

In the country, you are not able to buy cigarettes or alcohol until you are 18. ( )

In the country, you can't buy cigarettes or alcohol until you are 18. ( )

(在这个国家，你必须年满 18 岁才能购买烟酒。)

有关法令或规定，须用 can / can't 或 be (not) allowed to，如: Teenagers are not allowed to stay out late at night. (青少年不准深夜在外逗留。)