We use can to say what someone or something is able to do. We use can’t to say what someone or something is not able to do. Can 和 can’t are modal verbs. They help us express ability. The structure is simple: first, you say who or what (I, you, he, she, it, we, they). Then, you add can 或 can’t. Finally, you use the base form of another verb (like swim, run, speak). For example, I can speak English means you have the ability to speak English. He can’t fly means he does not have the ability to fly. This structure is the same for all subjects.
What is ‘Can’ for?
We use can to talk about abilities. It means ‘to be able to’ or ‘to know how to do something’.
- We use can to say what people or things have the skill or possibility to do.
- The structure is: Subject + can + base form of the verb.
For example:
- I can swim. (I have the ability to swim.)
- She can play the guitar. (She has the skill to play the guitar.)
- Birds can fly. (Birds have the ability to fly.)
What is ‘Can’t’ for?
We use can’t to talk about a lack of ability. It is the short form of cannot.
- Can’t means ‘not able to’ or ‘not knowing how to do something’.
- The structure is: Subject + can’t + base form of the verb.
For example:
- I can’t sing. (I don’t have the ability to sing.)
- He can’t speak French. (He doesn’t have the skill to speak French.)
- Fish can’t walk. (Fish don’t have the ability to walk.)
How to Ask Questions with ‘Can’?
To ask a question about ability, we put can at the beginning of the sentence.
- The structure is: Can + Subject + base form of the verb?
For example:
- Can you help me?
- Can she drive?
- Can they understand English?
For short answers, we use Yes, I can. 或 No, I can’t.
- Can you swim? Yes, I can.
- Can he cook? No, he can’t.
Is ‘Can’ Different for ‘He’, ‘She’, ‘It’?
No, can 和 can’t are special verbs. They do not change for different subjects.
- You use can (or can’t) for I, you, he, she, it, we, 和 they.
- You do not add -s for he, she, it.
For example:
- I can run fast.
- He can run fast. (NOT He cans run fast.)
- She can’t dance.
- They can’t dance.
| Subject | Positive (Ability) | Negative (No Ability) | Question (Asking about Ability) |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | I can sing. | I can’t sing. | Can I sing? |
| You | You can dance. | You can’t dance. | Can you dance? |
| He / She / It | He can run. | He can’t run. | Can he run? |
| We | We can cook. | We can’t cook. | Can we cook? |
| They | They can play. | They can’t play. | Can they play? |
示例
- I can speak English.
- She can sing well.
- Birds can fly.
- He can’t swim.
- We can’t play the piano.
- Can you help me?
- Yes, I can.
- No, I can’t.
练习
西班牙语母语者常犯的错误
Many Spanish speakers make a few common mistakes with can 和 can’t:
- Using ‘to’ after ‘can’: In Spanish, you might use ‘poder + infinitivo’. In English, can is followed directly by the base verb, without to.
- 错误： I can to swim.
- 正确： I can swim.
- Adding ‘-s’ for ‘he/she/it’: Remember, can is a modal verb and does not change form.
- 错误： He cans speak English.
- 正确： He can speak English.
- Using ‘don’t/doesn’t’ for negative: Can’t is already negative. You don’t need do not 或 does not.
- 错误： I don’t can swim.
- 正确： I can’t swim.
常见问题
What does ‘can’ mean in English?
Can means that someone or something has the ability or skill to do something. For example, I can speak English means I have the ability to speak English.
Is ‘can’ a verb?
是的，, can is a type of verb called a modal verb. Modal verbs help other verbs and express things like ability, possibility, or permission.
What is the difference between ‘can’ and ‘can’t’?
Can expresses a positive ability (e.g., I can read). Can’t expresses a negative ability, meaning someone is not able to do something (e.g., I can’t fly).
Do I need to change ‘can’ for ‘he’ or ‘she’?
No, can is a special verb that does not change. You use can for all subjects: I can, you can, he can, she can, it can, we can, they can.
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