What Does Can Mean in English?

Can is a modal verb. We use can to talk about abilities, skills, or possibilities that exist in the present.

It means that someone has the knowledge, skill, or opportunity to do something.

• Structure: Subject + can + base form of verb

How Do We Use Can't?

Can't is the negative form of can. It means cannot. We use can't to express a lack of ability, skill, or possibility in the present.

It tells us that someone is not able to do something.

• Structure: Subject + can't + base form of verb

Asking About Ability: Can Questions

To ask if someone has an ability, we put can at the beginning of the sentence.

当社では can before the subject to form questions.

• Structure: Can + subject + base form of verb?

For short answers, we use Yes, subject + can. または No, subject + can't.

Important Rules for Can and Can't

Can そして can't are special verbs called modal verbs. They follow specific rules:

• No 'to' after can: Always use the base form of the main verb directly after can, without 'to'.
  例： I can swim. (NOT I can to swim.)
• Same form for all subjects: Can does not change for 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It stays the same for all subjects.
  例： He can speak Spanish. (NOT He cans speak Spanish.)
• No auxiliary verbs: We do not use do または does with can for questions or negatives.
  例： Can you help me? (NOT Do you can help me?)

例

• I can speak three languages.
• She can play the piano very well.
• My brother can't cook at all.
• We can't go to the party tonight.
• Can you help me with this exercise?
• Can they understand English?
• Yes, I can.
• No, he can't.

練習

スペイン語話者がよく犯す間違い

Many Spanish speakers might incorrectly add 'to' after can, similar to how they might use 'poder + infinitivo' in Spanish.

• 誤り： I can to speak English.
• 正しい： I can speak English.

Another common error is changing the form of can for different subjects, especially for 'he/she/it'.

• 誤り： She cans sing.
• 正しい： She can sing.

Also, avoid using auxiliary verbs like do または don't with can for questions or negatives.

• 誤り： Do you can play tennis?
• 正しい： Can you play tennis?

よくある質問

What is the difference between can and be able to?

Can is more common for general present ability. Be able to is more formal and can be used in all tenses, especially when can is not grammatically possible (e.g., future: I will be able to help you.).

Can 'can' be used for permission?

はい、, can can also be used to ask for or give permission (e.g., Can I sit here? または You can go now.). However, this lesson focuses on its use for ability.

Is 'can' used for future ability?

No, for future ability, we typically use will be able to. 例えば、, I will be able to visit next week. (NOT I can visit next week if you mean future ability).

How is 'can' different from 'could'?

Can is used for present ability (e.g., I can run fast now.). Could is the past form of can and is used for past ability (e.g., When I was young, I could run fast.).

関連レッスン

• Can / can't for ability
• Can / can't for ability
• Can / can't for ability
• Can / can't for ability