We use can to say what people or things are able to do, and can’t (or cannot) to say what they are not able to do. This grammar point is for talking about skills or natural abilities. For example, if you know how to swim, you say I can swim. If you don’t know, you say I can’t swim. The structure is simple: subject + can/can’t + base form of the verb. It is the same for all subjects (I, you, he, she, it, we, they). This makes it easy to use!
What Does ‘Can’ Mean in English?
Can is a modal verb. We use it to talk about ability. Ability means a skill or something you know how to do.
- Use can to say ‘yes, I have this ability’.
- The verb after can is always in its base form (e.g., play, sing, run).
- Can does not change for different subjects. It is always can.
For example:
- I can speak English.
- She can play the guitar.
- They can cook well.
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How Do We Use ‘Can’t’ (Cannot)?
Can’t is the negative form of can. We use it to say that someone or something does not have an ability.
- Use can’t to say ‘no, I don’t have this ability’.
- Can’t is a short form of cannot. Both mean the same.
- The verb after can’t is also in its base form.
For example:
- I can’t swim.
- He can’t drive a car.
- We can’t fly.
How to Ask Questions with ‘Can’?
To ask about someone’s ability, we put can at the beginning of the question.
- The structure is: Can + subject + base form of the verb?
- For short answers, we use Yes, subject + can. or No, subject + can’t.
Look at these examples:
- Can you speak Spanish?
- Yes, I can.
- Can she sing?
- No, she can’t.
Simple Rules for Using ‘Can’ and ‘Can’t’
Remember these easy rules for can and can’t:
- Always use the base form of the verb after can or can’t. For example, I can run (not I can to run).
- Can does not change for he, she, or it. It is always can (not cans).
- Do not use do or don’t with can. Can is special.
| Affirmative (Yes) | Negative (No) |
|---|---|
| I can sing. | I can’t sing. |
| You can dance. | You can’t dance. |
| He can swim. | He can’t swim. |
| She can cook. | She can’t cook. |
| We can read. | We can’t read. |
| They can run. | They can’t run. |
Examples
- I can ride a bike.
- My sister can draw very well.
- Birds can fly.
- He can’t play the piano.
- We can’t understand French.
- Can you help me?
- Yes, I can.
- Can they dance?
- No, they can’t.
Practice
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Chat with an Advisor on WhatsAppCommon mistakes for Spanish speakers
Spanish speakers sometimes make these mistakes with can and can’t:
- Adding ‘to’ after ‘can’: In Spanish, you might say ‘poder + infinitivo’. But in English, we say can + base verb.
- Wrong: I can to swim.
- Right: I can swim.
- Adding ‘-s’ for ‘he/she/it’: Unlike other verbs, can does not change for the third person singular.
- Wrong: She cans sing.
- Right: She can sing.
- Using ‘don’t’ for negative: We use can’t directly, not don’t can.
- Wrong: I don’t can play football.
- Right: I can’t play football.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main use of ‘can’ and ‘can’t’?
The main use of can and can’t is to talk about abilities – things people or things are able or not able to do.
Does ‘can’ change for ‘he’, ‘she’, or ‘it’?
No, can does not change for he, she, or it. It is always can for all subjects.
Do I use ‘to’ after ‘can’?
No, you do not use to after can. Always use the base form of the verb directly after can, for example, I can run.
Is ‘cannot’ the same as ‘can’t’?
Yes, cannot is the full form, and can’t is the short, more common form. They mean exactly the same thing.
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