What is Can?
Can is a modal verb. We use it to talk about ability. Ability means what you are able to do.
You use can to say you have the skill or the possibility to do something.
- The structure is always: Subject + can + base form of the verb.
- The verb after can does not change.
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What is Can’t?
Can’t is the negative form of can. It means ‘not able to do something’.
Can’t is a short form of cannot. Both are correct, but can’t is more common in everyday speaking.
- The structure is always: Subject + can’t + base form of the verb.
- Like can, the verb after can’t does not change.
How to Ask Questions with Can?
To ask about someone’s ability, you put Can at the beginning of the question.
- The structure is: Can + subject + base form of the verb?
For short answers, you use Yes, subject + can. or No, subject + can’t.
| Subject | <span data-no-translation>Can</span> (Positive) | <span data-no-translation>Can't</span> (Negative) |
|---|---|---|
| I | I can speak. | I can’t speak. |
| You | You can speak. | You can’t speak. |
| He / She / It | He can speak. | He can’t speak. |
| We | We can speak. | We can’t speak. |
| They | They can speak. | They can’t speak. |
Examples
- I can swim.
- She can speak French.
- We can play football.
- He can’t sing.
- They can’t dance well.
- Can you cook?
- Yes, I can.
- No, I can’t.
- Can a cat fly? No, it can’t.
Practice
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Chat with an Advisor on WhatsAppCommon mistakes for Spanish speakers
Many Spanish speakers might say I can to swim. This is incorrect. In English, after can, you use the base form of the verb directly, without to. The correct form is I can swim.
Another common mistake is changing can for different subjects, like He cans swim. Remember, can is a modal verb. It never changes. It is always can for all subjects: I can, you can, he can, she can, it can, we can, they can.
Frequently asked questions
What does ‘can’ mean in English?
Can means you have the ability or skill to do something. For example, I can read.
Does ‘can’ change for ‘he’ or ‘she’?
No, can never changes. It is the same for all subjects: I can, you can, he can, she can, it can, we can, they can.
How do I make a negative sentence with ‘can’?
To make a negative sentence, you use can’t (or cannot). For example, I can’t sing.
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