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Can in English: Ability, Permission, and Requests
Can covers three things: what you're able to do, asking for permission, and asking for a favor. It's always followed by the base form of the verb.
Written by Bryan López, Profesor de inglés · Updated
Can is a modal verb used for three things: talking about ability (I can swim), asking for permission (Can I leave?), and making a request (Can you help me?). It's always followed by the base form of the verb, never with "to."
The 3 uses of can
Always with the base verb, no "to"
"I can to swim" is wrong. Can is always followed by the base form of the verb, with no "to": "I can swim," "She can drive."
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Practice can with real audio
Interactive exercises, real pronunciation, and the full lesson taught in English.
How can and can't sound different
In natural speech, "can" is pronounced quickly and weakly (almost like "kn"), while "can't" is pronounced more strongly, with a clearer vowel sound. That difference in sound is the real key to telling them apart when listening, more than the final "t," which can barely be heard sometimes.
Could is more polite than can
For asking permission or making a request, "could" sounds more formal and polite than "can": "Could you help me?" is more courteous than "Can you help me?", even though both are correct.
Common mistakes learners make
Adding "to" after can, like "I can to speak English," copying the structure of other verbs. It's also common to use can to talk about the past: "Yesterday I can go" is wrong, for the past you use could or was/were able to: "Yesterday I could go" or "Yesterday I was able to go."
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Frequently asked questions
What is can used for in English?
For talking about ability (I can swim), asking for permission (Can I leave?), and making requests (Can you help me?).
How do you make can negative?
With can't or cannot: "I can't swim." Both are correct, can't is more common in everyday speech.
What's the difference between can and could?
Can is present tense, could is its past form (I could swim when I was young) and also a more polite way to ask for permission or make a request (Could you help me?).
Is "to" used after can?
No. Can is always followed by the base verb with no "to": "I can swim," never "I can to swim."
How do can and can't sound different when spoken?
"Can" is pronounced short and weak, "can't" is pronounced more strongly with a clearer vowel. That's the key to telling them apart when listening, since the final "t" can barely be heard sometimes.
How do you ask for permission with can?
With the structure Can I + base verb: "Can I use your phone?" "Can I leave early today?"
Practice can with real audio
Interactive exercises, real pronunciation, and the full lesson taught in English.