can — ability and requests · can — habilidade e pedidos
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.
O que você pode fazer
- can significa "poder" — indica habilidade.
- Usamos também para fazer pedidos.
- I can swim. Can you help me?
I can sing. My neighbours can hear me.
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 + forma base
- can + o verbo na forma base, para todos os sujeitos (sem -s, sem to).
- She can dance. They can speak English.
- Não can to dance, nem can dances.
can — correct or wrong? · can — correto ou errado?
can is always followed by the base verb (no 'to', no -s). · can é sempre seguido pelo verbo base (sem 'to', sem -s).
Which sentence is correct? · Qual frase está correta?
can + base verb (no “to”): “I can swim.” · can + verbo base (sem “to”): “I can swim.”
Translate into English: 我会游泳。 · Traduza para o inglês: 我会游泳。
can + base verb: “I can swim.” · can + verbo 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 na forma base.
- He can't drive. I can't come today.
Make it negative: She ___ drive. (cannot, short form) · Faça negativo: She ___ dirigir. (cannot, forma abreviada)
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.
Perguntas: Can …?
- Coloque Can antes do sujeito: Can you swim? Can he cook?
- Respostas curtas: Yes, I can. / No, I can't.
- Sem do / does com can.
Is this correct? “Does he can cook?” · Isso está correto? “Does he can cook?”
can needs no “does”: “Can he cook?” · can não precisa de “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.
Erros comuns
- ❌ She cans swim. → ✓ She can swim. — can nunca leva -s.
- ❌ I don't can drive. → ✓ I can't drive.
- ❌ She can sing very good. → ✓ She can sing very well. — use well com verbos.
Which question is correct? · Qual pergunta está correta?
can makes its own question — no do / does: “Can you swim?” · can forma sua própria pergunta — sem do / does: “Can you swim?”
Put the words in order to make a question. · Organize as palavras para formar uma pergunta.
can goes before the subject: “Can your friend play football?” · can vem antes do sujeito: “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 + forma base = habilidade / pedidos (mesmo para todos os sujeitos).
- Negativo: can't (cannot).
- Pergunta: Can antes do sujeito — sem do / does.
Write one sentence about something you can do, using “can”. · Escreva uma frase sobre algo que você pode fazer, usando “can”.
Example: “I can play the piano.” · Exemplo: “I can play the piano.”