MODALITY

Can

One form for every person, followed by the base verb. Use it for ability, possibility, requests, offers and permission.

	I / you / we / they	he / she / it
+	I can swim	She can swim
−	I can't swim	She can't swim
?	Can you swim?	Can she swim?

No -s after he / she / it: she can · No to: can swim · Full negative: cannot (one word) · Short answers: Yes, I can. / No, I can't.

Can + base verb

New

Can does not change: no -s after he / she / it. Always follow it with the base verb, without to.

subject+ can / can't+ base verb

She can speak three languages.
My brother can't drive.

He can to swim.
He can swim.

Quick Check

1/4

Type the answer

He can three languages.

Ability and possibility

New

Use can for what you are able to do and can't for what you are not able to do. It also says what is possible.

subject+ can / can't+ verb

I can run ten kilometres.
We can't see the sea from here.

I know swim.
I can swim.

Quick Check

1/4

Type the answer

Birds fly.

Requests and offers

New

Use Can you …? to ask someone to do something, and Can I …? to ask for something or to offer help.

Can+ I / you+ base verb

Can you open the window, please?
Can I help you with your bag?

Do you can open the window?
Can you open the window, please?

Quick Check

1/4

Type the answer

Can you me your pen, please?

Permission

New

Use can to say what you are allowed to do and can't to say what is not allowed.

subject+ can / can't+ base verb

You can park here after six.
You can't use your phone in the exam.

Can't park here.
You can't park here.

Quick Check

1/4

Choose the form

There is a 'No photos' sign, so you take photos here.

Adverbs after can

New

Put also, only, still, just and really between can and the main verb, not after the verb.

subject+ can+ also / only / still+ base verb

I can also speak German.
She can still remember the song.

I can speak also German.
I can also speak German.

Quick Check

1/4

Put in order

Tap the words in the order of the sentence.