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What is Can?

Can is a modal verb. We use it to talk about ability. Ability means what you are able to do.

Du verwendest can to say you have the skill or the possibility to do something.

• The structure is always: Subject + can + base form of the verb.
• Das Verb nach can does not change.

What is Can't?

Can't ist die Verneinungsform von can. It means 'not able to do something'.

Can't ist eine Kurzform von cannot. Both are correct, but can't is more common in everyday speaking.

• The structure is always: Subject + can't + base form of the verb.
• Like can, the verb after can't does not change.

How to Ask Questions with Can?

To ask about someone's ability, you put Can am Anfang der Frage.

• Der Aufbau ist wie folgt: Can + subject + base form of the verb?

For short answers, you use Yes, subject + can. oder No, subject + can't.

Forms of <span data-no-translation>Can</span> und <span data-no-translation>Can't</span>

Betreff	<span data-no-translation>Can</span> (Positive)	<span data-no-translation>Can't</span> (Negative)
I	I can speak.	I can't speak.
You	You can speak.	You can't speak.
He / She / It	He can speak.	He can't speak.
We	We can speak.	We can't speak.
They	They can speak.	They can't speak.

Beispiele

• I can swim.
• She can speak French.
• We can play football.
• He can't sing.
• They can't dance well.
• Can you cook?
• Yes, I can.
• No, I can't.
• Can a cat fly? No, it can't.

Übung

Häufige Fehler bei Spanischsprechern

Many Spanish speakers might say I can to swim. This is incorrect. In English, after can, you use the base form of the verb directly, without to. The correct form is I can swim.

Another common mistake is changing can for different subjects, like He cans swim. Remember, can is a modal verb. It never changes. It is always can for all subjects: I can, you can, he can, she can, it can, we can, they can.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

What does 'can' mean in English?

Can means you have the ability or skill to do something. For example, I can read.

Does 'can' change for 'he' or 'she'?

Nein, can never changes. It is the same for all subjects: I can, you can, he can, she can, it can, we can, they can.

How do I make a negative sentence with 'can'?

To make a negative sentence, you use can't (oder cannot). For example, I can't sing.

Verwandte Lektionen

• „kann“ / „kann nicht“ in Bezug auf Fähigkeiten
• „kann“ / „kann nicht“ in Bezug auf Fähigkeiten
• „kann“ / „kann nicht“ in Bezug auf Fähigkeiten
• „kann“ / „kann nicht“ in Bezug auf Fähigkeiten