can

Saying What Someone Can Do

Level 1

Can followed by a base verb expresses ability: She can swim. Its shape does not change with the person, and a short Can answer can stand for the understood action.

How It Works

Can before a base verb says someone is able to do an action. The modal stays can for I, she and they. The action can be left unspoken in an answer when the question has already named it.

Ability is only one meaning of can. I can swim describes a skill; Can I sit here? usually asks permission. Read the action and the setting before choosing the meaning. A short Can means that the relevant action is possible for the person being discussed. It does not mean the speaker can perform every possible action.

Examples (4)

  1. I can swim.

    I know how to swim.

  2. She can fix this.

    She is able to fix this.

  3. They can speak Malay.

    They are able to speak Malay.

  4. You can carry both bags? Can.

    Are you able to carry both bags? Yes, I can.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

canLevel 1Saying What Someone Can Do

Learn This First

Recognize a simple action clause before adding the ability modal.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.