How well can you speak English?
Maybe you have been asked this question? Or maybe you have asked yourself this question! We use the English verb 'can' to talk about ability. It is often one of the first verbs we learn in an English classroom. In this blog article we will look at when and how we use the word can in English conversation.
When do we use ‘Can’?
Can is a modal verb. Like other modal verbs, it has several different functions. The most common is when we talk about general ability.
I can count to 30 in Russian.
Daniela can swim 100 lengths of the pool.
The negative of can is cannot, or can't.
I can't speak French at all.
Ali can't play the piano.
Jenny can't bake cakes.
How to use ‘Can’ for Permission
We also use the word can to ask for permission, or to give permission.
Can I have another piece of cake please?
My son can stay out until 12 tonight.
To be more polite or formal we can use 'may' for the same function:
May I have a coffee please?
Again, the opposite here is can't.
You can't go to the park until you finish your homework.
He can't come in, because he's not invited.
Offers and requests
We also use ‘can’ when we are offering something:
Can I help you with your bag?
Can I get you another cake?
We can also use ‘can’ for making requests.
Can you open the window please?
Can you come here for a minute?
Note that if you want to be more polite, you can use 'could’ instead of can for offers and requests. The word could often sounds more tentative in English, so it feels more polite, especially to older people.
Could you come here for a minute?
Could I get you a drink?
Using ‘Can’ for general truths
Can is also used to talk about things that are usually true. But they may not be true in all cases.
Too much time in front of a screen can lead to loneliness
Studying too hard can be a problem for young people.
What are the rules for using Can in English?
As a modal verb, can doesn't conjugate like a regular verb. There is only one form, which makes it easy to use. But it also means we must use a different verb form to talk about the past or future, or to use an infinitive. In these cases, we use 'be able to'. Here are some examples:
I think I can unlock the door with this key (Present)
I was able to unlock the door with the key (past - talking about a specific event)
In the future I will be able to speak English fluently (Future)
I would love to be able to write beautiful poetry. (infinitive)
The negative of can is can't, or cannot. The most commonly used form is can't,. But if we want to be particularly emphatic, we might use the full form. Compare:
She can't tell you what to do!
She cannot tell you what to do! (usually seen as more emphatic)
Questions are formed using can + subject:
Can Jodie come to the party?
Can you see the board OK?
Exceptions to using ‘can’ or ‘could’
Sometimes could is used instead of can when we want to be more formal or polite. But could is also the past of can when we talk about general ability. Look at these sentences:
When I was at university I could choose to study three languages.
I could read music much better when I was younger.
In both cases, it is implied that you don't have these abilities or options anymore.
Although we use could only to talk about general past abilities, we use the negative couldn't to talk about general past abilities AND things that happened only once.
To talk about things that happened only once, we can also use 'be able to', so all three of these sentences are possible:
When he was a child he couldn't play any instruments.
John couldn't fix his computer, so he's taken it to a shop.
John wasn't able to fix his computer, so he's taken it to a shop.
Common errors using ‘can’ in English
One very common error with is to use can followed by the infinitive. But like all modal verbs, this is not possible. Modal verbs are always followed by the bare infinitive (which means the infinitive without 'to')
I can't to go to the party, because I don't feel well. ✗
I can't go to the party, because I don't feel well. ✓
Students who study English also often forget ‘can’ doesn't have a future form, and they use 'will can' (this is NEVER correct!)
In the future I will can drive. ✗
In the future I will be able to drive. ✓
Another common error is confusing could and be able to when talking in the past. Remember to ask yourself if you want to talk about a general ability or skill, or something that happened only once – like getting stuck in a lift.
After half an hour of being stuck inside, George could open the lift door. ✗
After half an hour of being stuck inside, George was able to open the lift door. ✓
Famous songs that use ‘can’ in the lyrics
Can You Ever Forgive Me? is a 2018 comedy drama film about a frustrated writer who comes up with a plan to make money. Melissa McCarthy was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in the title role.
The Beatles wrote a song about two people trying to get along better. We Can Work It Out was a hit in 1965 because it says we can solve problems by listening more to each other.
Justin Timberlake's catchy song Can't Stop the Feeling was originally written for the soundtrack to the popular film Trolls. He can't stop the feeling (or stop dancing, judging by the video!)
Mini quiz
Find and correct the mistakes in these sentences.
1. Did you can play a musical instrument when you were at school?
2. Marta can to come to the meeting on Thursday.
3. I got up early yesterday and I could finish my project on time.
4. May you open the window please?
5. You need to ask your parents if you are able to stay out until midnight tomorrow.
Answers
1. Could you play a musical instrument when you were at school?
2. Marta can come to the meeting on Thursday.
3. I got up early yesterday and I was able to finish my project on time.
4. Can you open the window please?
5. You need to ask your parents if you can stay out until midnight tomorrow.