can — ability and requests · can — habilidad y peticiones
What you can do
- can means "be able to" — it shows ability.
- We also use it to make requests.
- I can swim. Can you help me?
I can sing. My neighbours can hear me.
Lo que puedes hacer
- can significa "poder" o "ser capaz de" — indica habilidad.
- También lo usamos para hacer peticiones.
- I can swim. Can you help me? (Puedo nadar. ¿Puedes ayudarme?)
I can sing. My neighbours can hear me. (Puedo cantar. Mis vecinos pueden escucharme.)
can + base verb
- can + the base verb, for every subject (no -s, no to).
- She can dance. They can speak English.
- Not can to dance, not can dances.
can + verbo base
- can + el verbo base, para cualquier sujeto (sin -s, sin to).
- She can dance. They can speak English. (Ella puede bailar. Ellos pueden hablar inglés.)
- No digas can to dance, ni can dances.
can — correct or wrong? · can — ¿correcto o incorrecto?
can is always followed by the base verb (no 'to', no -s). · can siempre va seguido del verbo en forma base (sin 'to', sin -s).
Which sentence is correct? · ¿Cuál oración es correcta?
can + base verb (no “to”): “I can swim.” · can + verbo en forma base (sin “to”): “I can swim.”
Translate into English: 我会游泳。 · Traduce al inglés: 我会游泳。
can + base verb: “I can swim.” · can + verbo en forma base: “I can swim.”
Negatives: can't
- cannot = can't + base verb.
- He can't drive. I can't come today.
Negativos: can't
- cannot = can't + verbo base.
- He can't drive. I can't come today. (Él no puede conducir. No puedo venir hoy.)
Make it negative: She ___ drive. (cannot, short form) · Hazla negativa: She ___ drive. (cannot, forma corta)
cannot → can't: “She can't drive.”
Questions: Can …?
- Put Can before the subject: Can you swim? Can he cook?
- Short answers: Yes, I can. / No, I can't.
- No do / does with can.
Preguntas: Can …?
- Coloca Can antes del sujeto: Can you swim? Can he cook? (¿Puedes nadar? ¿Puede él cocinar?)
- Respuestas cortas: Yes, I can. / No, I can't. (Sí, puedo. / No, no puedo.)
- No uses do / does con can.
Is this correct? “Does he can cook?” · ¿Es esto correcto? “Does he can cook?”
can needs no “does”: “Can he cook?” · can no necesita “does”: “Can he cook?”
Common mistakes
- ❌ She cans swim. → ✓ She can swim. — can never takes -s.
- ❌ I don't can drive. → ✓ I can't drive.
- ❌ She can sing very good. → ✓ She can sing very well. — use well with verbs.
Errores comunes
- ❌ She cans swim. → ✓ She can swim. — can nunca lleva -s.
- ❌ I don't can drive. → ✓ I can't drive.
- ❌ She can sing very good. → ✓ She can sing very well. — usa well con verbos.
Which question is correct? · ¿Cuál pregunta es correcta?
can makes its own question — no do / does: “Can you swim?” · can forma su propia pregunta — sin do / does: “Can you swim?”
Put the words in order to make a question. · Ordena las palabras para formar una pregunta.
can goes before the subject: “Can your friend play football?” · can va antes del sujeto: “Can your friend play football?”
- can + base verb = ability / requests (same for all subjects).
- Negative: can't (cannot).
- Question: Can before the subject — no do / does.
- can + verbo base = habilidad / peticiones (igual para todos los sujetos).
- Negativo: can't (cannot).
- Pregunta: Can antes del sujeto — sin do / does.
Write one sentence about something you can do, using “can”. · Escribe una oración sobre algo que puedas hacer, usando “can”.
Example: “I can play the piano.” · Ejemplo: “I can play the piano.”