🎓 Prepared by students from Boğaziçi University

What is Modal Can (Ability)?

Can is a modal verb that expresses ability, skill, or possibility. It tells what someone is able to do or what is possible. Can is one of the most common modal verbs in English, used in questions, statements, and negations to describe what people or things are capable of.

Short answer

Can is a modal verb used to express ability or possibility — 'I can swim' means you have the ability to swim. The negative form is 'cannot' or 'can't', and the question form inverts the subject: 'Can you help?'

Modal Can Usage

1
Positive
Subject + can + base verb: 'I can speak'
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2
Negative
Subject + cannot/can't + base verb: 'I can't swim'
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3
Question
Can + subject + base verb?: 'Can you run?'
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4
Answer
Yes, I can / No, I can't

Step-by-step worked examples

Say what abilities you have.

I can speak English.
I can play the guitar.
I can cook.

Ask someone about their abilities.

Can you swim?
Can you drive?
Can you speak French?

Explain what you cannot do.

I can't speak Arabic.
I cannot fly.
I can't solve this problem.

Flashcards

Quick quiz

Q1.Fill: I ___ speak three languages.

Correct answer: A. Modal can is always singular and takes the base verb: 'can speak'.

Q2.Choose the correct question form.

Correct answer: B. Questions with can invert: 'Can you swim?'

Q3.What is the negative form?

Correct answer: C. Negative: 'I can't run' or 'I cannot run'.

Q4.Which sentence uses can correctly?

Correct answer: C. Can is followed by the base verb: 'can go', not 'can goes' or 'can going'.

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Common mistakes

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Using can + 's' or 'ing': 'She cans go' or 'can going'. — Correct: Can is always followed by base verb: 'can go'.

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Saying 'can to': 'I can to help'. — Correct: No 'to': 'I can help'.

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Forgetting the negative contraction: 'I can not'. — Correct: Use 'can't' or 'cannot' (one word): 'I can't'.

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Using an extra 'do': 'Do you can swim?' — Correct: Just invert: 'Can you swim?'

FAQ

Is can used for past ability?

No, can describes present ability. For past, use 'could': 'I could swim when I was young'.

What is the difference between can and could?

Can = present ability; could = past ability or polite request: 'Could you help me?'

Can can be used for permission?

Yes, informally: 'Can I go?' is common, but 'May I go?' is more formal.

What is the difference between can and able?

They mean the same thing. 'I can swim' = 'I am able to swim', but can is more common.