In this chapter
I can swim. I can't drive. Can you help me? The small word can lets you talk about your abilities, ask for permission and make requests. It is one of the most useful words in English.
Can is also one of the easiest verbs to use, because it never changes: the same form for every subject, no -s, no -ing, and no to after it. Negatives add not and questions simply start with can — no do or does needed.
Learning objectives
By the end of this chapter
- I can use can and can't to talk about ability.
- I can use can with a base verb, with no -s and no to.
- I can ask questions with can and give short answers.
- I can use Can I…? and Can you…? to ask for permission and make requests.
Can for ability
Use can to say that someone is able to do something. It is the same for every subject.
The pattern
Subject + can + base verb
I can swim. She can swim. They can swim.
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I ( subject ) can ( helper verb ) swim. ( verb )
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She ( subject ) can ( helper verb ) speak ( verb ) French. ( object )
The same form for she — no -s.
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They ( subject ) can ( helper verb ) play ( verb ) the piano. ( object )
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My grandmother can use a smartphone.
can + base verb (use).
Quick checkShe ___ speak three languages.
Can't: not able to
The negative of can is cannot — one word. In speaking and most writing we use the short form can't .
The pattern
Subject + can't + base verb
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He ( subject ) can't ( not ) drive. ( verb )
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I ( subject ) cannot ( not ) swim. ( verb )
cannot is written as one word.
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We can't hear you.
can't = cannot.
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My cat can't open the door.
The same form for it.
Quick checkMy little brother is two. He ___ read yet.
Questions with can
To make a question, put can before the subject. There is no do or does.
The pattern
(Question word) + Can + subject + base verb…?
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Can ( helper verb ) you ( subject ) cook? ( verb )
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Can ( helper verb ) she ( subject ) drive? ( verb )
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What ( question word ) can ( helper verb ) you ( subject ) see? ( verb )
| Question | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Can you swim? | Yes, I can. | No, I can't. |
| Can he play chess? | Yes, he can. | No, he can't. |
| Can they come? | Yes, they can. | No, they can't. |
Quick checkPut the words in order to make a question.
Can for permission and requests
Use Can I…? to ask for permission — to ask if you are allowed to do something. Use Can you…? to ask someone else to do something for you.
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You ( subject ) can't ( not ) park ( verb ) here. ( place )
It is not allowed.
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Can I open the window?
Asking for permission.
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Can you help me, please?
A request.
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Can I have a coffee, please?
Ordering in a café.
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You can sit here.
Giving permission.
Quick checkYou want to use your friend's phone. What do you say?
Errors to avoid
These are the mistakes learners make most often with this grammar. Read the wrong sentence, then the right one, and notice the change.
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Incorrect: She cans dance.
Correct: She can dance.
Can never adds -s.
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Incorrect: I can to swim.
Correct: I can swim.
Can is followed by the base verb, with no to.
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Incorrect: Do you can drive?
Correct: Can you drive?
Questions start with can — no do.
-
Incorrect: He can drives.
Correct: He can drive.
After can, the verb has no -s.
Hear it in use
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then play one line at a time and say it after the speaker. The words in colour are this chapter’s grammar.
Conversation
The summer job
Diego has an interview for a job at a summer camp.
- Ms Park
So, Diego, tell me about your skills. Can you swim?
- Diego
Yes, I can. I can swim very well.
Short answer: Yes, I can.
- Ms Park
Great. Can you speak other languages?
- Diego
I can speak Spanish and English, but I can't speak French.
can't + base verb.
- Ms Park
That's fine. Can you drive?
- Diego
No, I can't. But I can ride a bike!
- Ms Park
Ha! Can you play the guitar?
- Diego
Yes — I can play the guitar and sing a little.
- Ms Park
Perfect for the campfire. Can you start on Monday?
Can you…? here is a request.
- Diego
Yes, of course. Can I ask a question? What time do we start?
Can I…? asks for permission.
What to remember
- 1 Use can + base verb for ability: I can swim.
- 2 Can never changes: no -s, no to — She can dance.
- 3 Negative: can't (cannot): He can't drive.
- 4 Questions start with can: Can you cook? — Yes, I can. / No, I can't.
- 5 Use Can I…? for permission and Can you…? for requests. Add please.
| Subject | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| I / you / we / they | can swim | can't swim | Can they swim? |
| he / she / it | can swim | can't swim | Can she swim? |
Test yourself
Knowledge check
22 questions on Can / Can't
One question at a time, with an explanation after every answer. Score 18 or more (80%) and the chapter is marked complete.