Can (ability and permission)
2 lessons about can (ability and permission) in English, explained in Spanish. Practice with exercises and download worksheets.
- A1Grammar 14 min
Can and can't
Can and can't for what you know how to do or are able to do: I can swim, she can't drive. Questions, short answers, how can't sounds, and exercises.
View lesson - A1Grammar 13 min
Can I...? Can you...?
Can I...? to ask for permission and Can you...? to ask for favors, with please and could to sound polite. How to answer, plus exercises.
View lesson
What is Can (ability and permission)?
Can is the modal verb for ability, possibility and informal permission. It means "poder" or "saber" when talking about a skill: "I can swim" is "sé nadar". Its negative is can't (cannot) and its past is could. It does not change with the person.
When to use it
Use it to say what you are able to do ("She can play the piano"), ask for or give permission ("Can I sit here?"), make informal requests ("Can you open the window?") and talk about what is possible ("We can meet at five").
Common mistakes and tips for Spanish speakers
- The base verb follows can without to: "I can go", never "I can to go".
- The negative is written can't or cannot, not "can not" in ordinary texts.
- For past ability use could: "I could swim when I was five".
Examples
I can speak two languages.
Puedo hablar dos idiomas.
She can't drive yet.
Ella todavía no sabe conducir.
Can you help me, please?
¿Puedes ayudarme, por favor?
We can go to the beach.
Podemos ir a la playa.