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  1. I am quite busy right now, but I can fix/will be able to fix your car on Friday.

  2. I don't have any tools I need, but the new ones will arrive in two days. Therefore, I’ll be able to fix your car on Friday.

I think when talking about the available timeslots (schedule) for doing something, we can use either "can" or "will be able to" to refer to future events; on the other hand, if it's talking about future ability (tools, parts, staffers, etc), "will be able to" is better.

Is my analysis correct?

Chien Te Lu
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  • I don't think that distinction exists. Can is more informal, so will be able to goes better after therefore. The mechanic could have said "So I can fix your car on Friday." (NB "I don't have any of the tools I need" would be better.) – Kate Bunting Feb 19 '24 at 13:22
  • @KateBunting What if it's another verb: "If the tools I need arrive by tomorrow, I can save these kids trapped in the cave on Monday."? I think in this case only "will be able to" is correct instead of "can". – Chien Te Lu Feb 21 '24 at 04:08

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