What are ‘Can’ and ‘Can’t’ for?

Мы используем can и can’t to talk about abilities. An ability is something you know how to do or something you are physically able to do.

• Использование can for positive sentences. It means you have the ability.
• Использование can’t (или cannot) for negative sentences. It means you do not have the ability.

How do we form sentences with ‘Can’?

The structure for sentences with can is very simple. We use can after the subject and before the main verb. The main verb is always in its base form (infinitive without ‘to’).

• Positive: Subject + can + base verb
• Example: I can speak English.
• Negative: Subject + can’t / cannot + base verb
• Example: She can’t swim.

Can is a modal verb. This means it does not change its form for he, she, или it. You do not add ‘-s’.

• Правильно: He can play the guitar.
• Неправильно: He cans play the guitar.

How do we ask questions with ‘Can’?

To ask a question about ability, we put can at the beginning of the sentence, before the subject.

• Question: Can + subject + base verb?
• Example: Can you cook Italian food?

For short answers, we use can или can’t.

• Positive short answer: Yes, + subject + can.
• Example: Yes, I can.
• Negative short answer: No, + subject + can’t.
• Example: No, she can’t.

What about ‘Could’ and ‘Couldn’t’ for Past Ability?

Just like can и can’t are for the present, could и couldn’t are for the past.

• Использование could for positive sentences about past ability.
• Example: When I was five, I could ride a bike.
• Использование couldn’t (или could not) for negative sentences about past ability.
• Example: My grandfather couldn’t use a computer.

The rules for questions and short answers are similar to can.

• Question: Could + subject + base verb? (e.g., Could you speak French when you were young?)
• Short Answer: Yes, I could. / No, I couldn’t.

Примеры

• My brother can play the piano very well.
• I can’t understand this lesson.
• Can they help us tomorrow?
• Yes, they can.
• No, I can’t come to the party.
• When I was a child, I could climb trees easily.
• She couldn’t find her keys yesterday.

Практика

Распространенные ошибки у носителей испанского языка

Spanish speakers sometimes make mistakes with can because of direct translation from Spanish or using incorrect auxiliary verbs.

• Incorrect Auxiliary Verb: In Spanish, you might use ‘do’ or ‘don’t’ with verbs. In English, can is a modal verb and acts as its own auxiliary.
  • Неправильно: Do you can swim?
  • Правильно: Can you swim?
  • Неправильно: I don’t can speak English.
  • Правильно: I can’t speak English.
• Using ‘to’ after ‘can’: Remember, the verb after can is always in its base form without ‘to’.
  • Неправильно: He can to play football.
  • Правильно: He can play football.

Часто задаваемые вопросы

What is the difference between ‘can’ and ‘could’?

Can is for abilities in the present (e.g., I can run fast now.). Could is for abilities in the past (e.g., I could run fast when I was young.).

Can I use ‘can’ for permission?

Yes, you can also use can to ask for or give permission, but this lesson focuses on ability. For example, Can I go home now?

Is ‘can’t’ the same as ‘cannot’?

Да, can’t is the common contraction (short form) of cannot. They mean exactly the same thing.

Do I add ‘-s’ to ‘can’ for ‘he/she/it’?

No, can is a modal verb, so it never changes form. You always say he can, she can, it can.

Связанные уроки

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