Can, can’t: Ability, possibility, permission

Can, can’t: Grammar chart

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Can, can’t: Form

Infinitive without to

We use can + infinitive without to.

• I can swim.
• I can to swim.
• We can’t come.
• We can’t to come.

Don’t use -s after he/she/it

We don’t add -s after he/she/it. We use can for all persons.

• He can swim.
• He cans swim.

Don’t use do/don’t

Can is an auxiliary verb and has a negative and interrogative form. We don’t use do/don’t to make questions and negatives.

• Can you swim?
• Do you can swim?
• He can’t swim.
• He don’t can swim.

Can, can’t: Use

Ability

We use can/can’t to talk about ability in the present (=things that we know how to do).

• Laura can sing very well. 
• I can’t speak German. 

Possibility

We use can/can’t to ask for permission or to say if something is possible or not.

• Can I sit here?
• You can’t vote if you aren’t 18 years old. 
• I’m sorry, but I can’t come to the party. 

Ask for something

We use can/can’t to ask for something and to order in bars, restaurants, shops, etc.

• Can you lend me some money?
• Can I have some water, please?
• Can I have a burger and a soda?