can

• 9 can

  9.1

  Ability and Requests

  

  

  can expresses ability ("know how to / be able to") or is used for requests. It is followed by the base form of the verb, and remains the same for all persons.

  我I 会can 游泳swim.

  I can swim.

  能Can 你you 帮help 我me?

  Can you help me?

  Note: Use the base form after can: ~~can to swim~~ ✗, ~~can swims~~ ✗ → can swim ✓.

  9.2

  Negation and Interrogative

  Negative: cannot (abbreviation can't) + base form of the verb.

  她She 不会can't 开车drive.

  She cannot drive.

  Question: Place Can before the subject.

  能Can 他he 做饭cook?

  Can he cook?

  Short answer: Yes, I can. / No, I can't.

  Note: can has no -s and does not use do/does: ask directly with Can he…?, not ~~Does he can…?~~

  Common Errors

  • ❌ ~~She cans drive.~~ → ✓ She can drive. — can has no third-person singular -s; it is the same for all persons.
  • ❌ ~~I don't can swim.~~ → ✓ I can't swim. — The negative of can is formed directly with not (can't), without using don't.
  • ❌ ~~He can sings very good.~~ → ✓ He can sing very well. — Use the base form of the verb after can; use the adverb well to modify a verb, not good.
  • ❌ ~~You can help me?~~ → ✓ Can you help me? — When making a request, place can before the subject.

All topics · English Grammar · A1