Ch 20
Can (ability/permission)
can / can't · base verb · no "to"
Can describes what you are able to do, or to ask for and give permission.
Ability
I can swim. She can speak Spanish.
Permission (informal)
Can I go now?
Possibility
It can be cold in winter.
Request
Can you help me, please?
subject + can + base verb ✓
Same for all subjects
I can swim. You can swim. She can swim. They can swim.
Never "cans" or "to"
✗ She cans swim. ✗ She can to swim.
Never -ing
✗ I can swimming. → ✓ I can swim.
cannot
I cannot drive a car. (formal)
can't (contracted)
I can't swim. (informal)
All subjects same
She can't · We can't · They can't
Write "cannot" as ONE word in formal writing. "Can not" (two words) is rare and emphatic. Don't confuse "can't" with "cant" (a different word).
Can + subject + base verb ? ✓
Ability questions
Can you swim? Can he speak French?
Permission questions
Can I sit here? Can we leave?
Request questions
Can you open the window, please?
Short answers
Yes, I can. / No, I can't.
can (positive)
unstressed: /kən/ — "I can swim" → "I k'n swim"
can't (negative)
stressed: /kɑːnt/ (UK) or /kænt/ (US) — clear "t" sound
In speech, listen for the "t" sound to know if it's negative. Positive "can" sounds shorter and softer.
She cans swim very well.
→
She can swim very well.
never add -s with modals
I can to speak English.
→
I can speak English.
can + base verb (no "to")
Can you to help me?
→
Can you help me?
can + base verb (no "to")
I can swimming.
→
I can swim.
can + base verb (not -ing)
Recap
Use
ability · permission · request · possibility
I can swim · Can I sit here?
Form
can + base verb (no "s", no "to")
she can swim
Negative
cannot / can't
I can't drive
Question
Can + subject + base?
Can you help?