{"id":273358,"date":"2026-09-15T03:00:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T08:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/?p=273358"},"modified":"2026-09-15T03:00:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T08:00:11","slug":"can-cant-ability-b1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/ja\/blog\/can-cant-ability-b1\/","title":{"rendered":"Mastering Can and Can&#8217;t for Ability (B1 English Grammar)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"lc-answer\"><strong><span data-no-translation>Can<\/span> \u305d\u3057\u3066 <span data-no-translation>can&#8217;t<\/span> are essential modal verbs in English used to express present ability.<\/strong> \u3042\u306a\u305f\u306f <span data-no-translation>can<\/span> to say what someone or something is able to do, like <span data-no-translation>I can speak English.<\/span> It&#8217;s a simple and direct way to talk about skills or possibilities that exist right now. For example, <span data-no-translation>She can play the guitar very well<\/span> means she has the skill to do it. To express a lack of ability, you use <span data-no-translation>can&#8217;t<\/span> \uff08\u307e\u305f\u306f <span data-no-translation>cannot<\/span>), as in <span data-no-translation>He can&#8217;t swim<\/span>, meaning he lacks the skill. When asking about someone&#8217;s ability, you put <span data-no-translation>can<\/span> at the beginning of the question: <span data-no-translation>Can you help me?<\/span> \u5fd8\u308c\u306a\u3044\u3067\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3001, <span data-no-translation>can<\/span> does not change form for different subjects (e.g., <span data-no-translation>I can<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>she can<\/span>), and you always follow it with the base form of another verb, without &#8216;to&#8217;. This makes it very straightforward to use for B1 learners.<\/div>\n<h2>What Does Can Mean in English?<\/h2>\n<p><span data-no-translation>Can<\/span> is a modal verb. We use <span data-no-translation>can<\/span> to talk about abilities, skills, or possibilities that exist in the present.<\/p>\n<p>It means that someone has the knowledge, skill, or opportunity to do something.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Structure:<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>Subject + can + base form of verb<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"lc-cta lc-cta-blended\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding:30px;margin:30px 0;text-align:center;color:#fff;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0E63C4,#0A2540);\"><h3 style=\"color:#fff;font-size:22px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 8px;\">\ud83c\udf93 \u30d6\u30ec\u30f3\u30c7\u30c3\u30c9\u5b66\u7fd2\u6cd5\u3067\u82f1\u8a9e\u3092\u5b66\u307c\u3046<\/h3><p style=\"margin:0 0 10px;opacity:.95;\">\u5c11\u4eba\u6570\u5236\u30fb24\u6642\u9593365\u65e5\u5bfe\u5fdc\u306eAI\u30c1\u30e5\u30fc\u30bf\u30fc\u30fb\u30b1\u30f3\u30d6\u30ea\u30c3\u30b8\u8a66\u9a13\u5bfe\u7b56<\/p><p style=\"margin:0 0 16px;font-size:18px;\">\u4ee5\u4e0b\u306e\u30d7\u30e9\u30f3\u304b\u3089 <strong><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" translate=\"no\" dir=\"auto\">$<\/span>39<\/bdi><\/span><\/strong> <s style=\"opacity:.6;\"><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" translate=\"no\" dir=\"auto\">$<\/span>79<\/bdi><\/span><\/s> \u6708\u984d<\/p><a href=\"\/ja\/\" style=\"display:inline-block;margin-top:8px;padding:13px 30px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;background:#fff;color:#0E63C4;\">\u30af\u30e9\u30b9\u306e\u4e88\u7d04\u3092\u3059\u308b<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>How Do We Use Can't?<\/h2>\n<p><span data-no-translation>Can't<\/span> is the negative form of <span data-no-translation>can<\/span>. It means <span data-no-translation>cannot<\/span>. We use <span data-no-translation>can't<\/span> to express a lack of ability, skill, or possibility in the present.<\/p>\n<p>It tells us that someone is not able to do something.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Structure:<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>Subject + can't + base form of verb<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Asking About Ability: Can Questions<\/h2>\n<p>To ask if someone has an ability, we put <span data-no-translation>can<\/span> at the beginning of the sentence.<\/p>\n<p>\u5f53\u793e\u3067\u306f <span data-no-translation>can<\/span> before the subject to form questions.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Structure:<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>Can + subject + base form of verb?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For short answers, we use <span data-no-translation>Yes, subject + can.<\/span> \u307e\u305f\u306f <span data-no-translation>No, subject + can't.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Important Rules for Can and Can't<\/h2>\n<p><span data-no-translation>Can<\/span> \u305d\u3057\u3066 <span data-no-translation>can't<\/span> are special verbs called modal verbs. They follow specific rules:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>No 'to' after <span data-no-translation>can<\/span>:<\/strong> Always use the base form of the main verb directly after <span data-no-translation>can<\/span>, without 'to'.<br \/>\u4f8b\uff1a <span data-no-translation>I can swim.<\/span> (NOT <span data-no-translation>I can to swim.<\/span>)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Same form for all subjects:<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>Can<\/span> does not change for 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It stays the same for all subjects.<br \/>\u4f8b\uff1a <span data-no-translation>He can speak Spanish.<\/span> (NOT <span data-no-translation>He cans speak Spanish.<\/span>)<\/li>\n<li><strong>No auxiliary verbs:<\/strong> We do not use <span data-no-translation>do<\/span> \u307e\u305f\u306f <span data-no-translation>does<\/span> \uff5e\u3068 <span data-no-translation>can<\/span> for questions or negatives.<br \/>\u4f8b\uff1a <span data-no-translation>Can you help me?<\/span> (NOT <span data-no-translation>Do you can help me?<\/span>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table>\n<caption>Summary of Can and Can&#x27;t for Ability<\/caption>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>\u30d5\u30a9\u30fc\u30e0<\/th>\n<th>\u4f8b\u6587<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Positive<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>I can swim.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Negative<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>She can't sing.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Question<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Can you dance?<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Short Answer (Yes)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Yes, I can.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Short Answer (No)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>No, I can't.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>\u4f8b<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>I can speak three languages.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>She can play the piano very well.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>My brother can't cook at all.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>We can't go to the party tonight.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Can you help me with this exercise?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Can they understand English?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Yes, I can.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>No, he can't.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>\u7df4\u7fd2<\/h2>\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-1682\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"1682\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"I08 L5 GRAMMAR Modals and phrases of ability\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"lc-cta lc-cta-placement\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding:30px;margin:30px 0;text-align:center;color:#fff;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#2B87DA,#29C4A9);\"><h3 style=\"color:#fff;font-size:22px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 8px;\">\u270d\ufe0f \u81ea\u5206\u306e\u30ec\u30d9\u30eb\u304c\u308f\u304b\u3089\u306a\u3044\uff1f<\/h3><p style=\"margin:0 0 16px;opacity:.95;\">\u7121\u6599\u306e\u30ec\u30d9\u30eb\u5224\u5b9a\u30c6\u30b9\u30c8\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u3066\u3001\u30b1\u30f3\u30d6\u30ea\u30c3\u30b8\u8a8d\u5b9a\u8a66\u9a13\u5b98\u304b\u3089\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306b\u5408\u308f\u305b\u305f\u30d5\u30a3\u30fc\u30c9\u30d0\u30c3\u30af\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u53d6\u308a\u307e\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002.<\/p><a href=\"\/ja\/%e3%82%a4%e3%83%b3%e3%82%b0%e3%83%aa%e3%83%83%e3%82%b7%e3%83%a5\/%e3%82%a2%e3%82%ab%e3%83%87%e3%83%9f%e3%83%bc\/%e7%84%a1%e6%96%99%e4%bd%93%e9%a8%93\/\" style=\"display:inline-block;margin-top:8px;padding:13px 30px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;background:#0A2540;color:#fff;\">\u7121\u6599\u30d7\u30ec\u30a4\u30b9\u30e1\u30f3\u30c8\u30fb\u30c6\u30b9\u30c8\u3092\u53d7\u3051\u308b<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>\u30b9\u30da\u30a4\u30f3\u8a9e\u8a71\u8005\u304c\u3088\u304f\u72af\u3059\u9593\u9055\u3044<\/h2>\n<p>Many Spanish speakers might incorrectly add 'to' after <span data-no-translation>can<\/span>, similar to how they might use 'poder + infinitivo' in Spanish.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u8aa4\u308a\uff1a <span data-no-translation>I can to speak English.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>\u6b63\u3057\u3044\uff1a <span data-no-translation>I can speak English.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Another common error is changing the form of <span data-no-translation>can<\/span> for different subjects, especially for 'he\/she\/it'.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u8aa4\u308a\uff1a <span data-no-translation>She cans sing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>\u6b63\u3057\u3044\uff1a <span data-no-translation>She can sing.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Also, avoid using auxiliary verbs like <span data-no-translation>do<\/span> \u307e\u305f\u306f <span data-no-translation>don't<\/span> \uff5e\u3068 <span data-no-translation>can<\/span> for questions or negatives.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u8aa4\u308a\uff1a <span data-no-translation>Do you can play tennis?<\/span><\/li>\n<li>\u6b63\u3057\u3044\uff1a <span data-no-translation>Can you play tennis?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>\u3088\u304f\u3042\u308b\u8cea\u554f<\/h2>\n<h3>What is the difference between can and be able to?<\/h3>\n<p><span data-no-translation>Can<\/span> is more common for general present ability. <span data-no-translation>Be able to<\/span> is more formal and can be used in all tenses, especially when <span data-no-translation>can<\/span> is not grammatically possible (e.g., future: <span data-no-translation>I will be able to help you.<\/span>).<\/p>\n<h3>Can 'can' be used for permission?<\/h3>\n<p>\u306f\u3044\u3001, <span data-no-translation>can<\/span> can also be used to ask for or give permission (e.g., <span data-no-translation>Can I sit here?<\/span> \u307e\u305f\u306f <span data-no-translation>You can go now.<\/span>). However, this lesson focuses on its use for ability.<\/p>\n<h3>Is 'can' used for future ability?<\/h3>\n<p>No, for future ability, we typically use <span data-no-translation>will be able to<\/span>. \u4f8b\u3048\u3070\u3001, <span data-no-translation>I will be able to visit next week.<\/span> (NOT <span data-no-translation>I can visit next week<\/span> if you mean future ability).<\/p>\n<h3>How is 'can' different from 'could'?<\/h3>\n<p><span data-no-translation>Can<\/span> is used for present ability (e.g., <span data-no-translation>I can run fast now.<\/span>). <span data-no-translation>Could<\/span> is the past form of <span data-no-translation>can<\/span> and is used for past ability (e.g., <span data-no-translation>When I was young, I could run fast.<\/span>).<\/p>\n<h2>\u95a2\u9023\u30ec\u30c3\u30b9\u30f3<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/langcom.org\/ja\/?p=272761\">Can \/ can&#x27;t for ability<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/langcom.org\/ja\/?p=272765\">Can \/ can&#x27;t for ability<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/langcom.org\/ja\/?p=272767\">Can \/ can&#x27;t for ability<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/langcom.org\/ja\/?p=272774\">Can \/ can&#x27;t for ability<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Can and can&#8217;t are essential modal verbs in English used to express present ability. You use can to say what someone or something is able to do, like I can speak English. It&#8217;s a simple and direct way to talk about skills or possibilities that exist right now. For example, She can play the guitar very well means she has the skill to do it. To express a lack of ability, you use can&#8217;t (or cannot), as in He can&#8217;t swim, meaning he lacks the skill. When asking about someone&#8217;s ability, you put can at the beginning of the question: Can you help me? Remember, can does not change form [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":192,"featured_media":274392,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"bwfblock_default_font":"","langcom_teaches":"Can \/ can't for ability","langcom_cefr":"B1","langcom_type":"grammar","langcom_faq":"[{\"q\": \"What is the difference between can and be able to?\", \"a\": \"<p><span data-no-translation>Can<\/span> is more common for general present ability. <span data-no-translation>Be able to<\/span> is more formal and can be used in all tenses, especially when <span data-no-translation>can<\/span> is not grammatically possible (e.g., future: <span data-no-translation>I will be able to help you.<\/span>).<\/p>\"}, {\"q\": \"Can 'can' be used for permission?\", \"a\": \"<p>Yes, <span data-no-translation>can<\/span> can also be used to ask for or give permission (e.g., <span data-no-translation>Can I sit here?<\/span> or <span data-no-translation>You can go now.<\/span>). However, this lesson focuses on its use for ability.<\/p>\"}, {\"q\": \"Is 'can' used for future ability?\", \"a\": \"<p>No, for future ability, we typically use <span data-no-translation>will be able to<\/span>. For example, <span data-no-translation>I will be able to visit next week.<\/span> (NOT <span data-no-translation>I can visit next week<\/span> if you mean future ability).<\/p>\"}, {\"q\": \"How is 'can' different from 'could'?\", \"a\": \"<p><span data-no-translation>Can<\/span> is used for present ability (e.g., <span data-no-translation>I can run fast now.<\/span>). <span data-no-translation>Could<\/span> is the past form of <span data-no-translation>can<\/span> and is used for past ability (e.g., <span data-no-translation>When I was young, I could run fast.<\/span>).<\/p>\"}]","_kiss_seo_title":"","_kiss_seo_excerpt":"Can and can't are essential modal verbs in English used to express present 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