Can and Can't for Ability
Use 'can' to say someone is able to do something and 'can't' for inability. 'Can' is followed by the base form of the verb and stays the same for all subjects.
Level A1
Modals
Summary
- Use 'can' to say someone is able to do something and 'can't' for inability. 'Can' is followed by the base form of the verb and stays the same for all subjects.
Structure
subject + can/can't + base verb
Examples
- I can swim very well.
- She can't drive yet.
- Can you speak French?
- They can play the piano.
Common mistakes
- • Adding 'to', e.g. 'I can to swim' instead of 'I can swim'.
- • Adding -s for he/she, e.g. 'She cans cook' instead of 'She can cook'.
Related
More modals
Can / Could (Ability and Permission)
A2
Use 'can' for present ability and informal permission or requests. Use 'could' for past ability and for more polite requests.
Must / Have To (Obligation)
B1
Use 'must' and 'have to' to express obligation or necessity. 'Mustn't' means something is forbidden, while 'don't have to' means there is no obligation.
May / Might (Possibility)
B1
Use 'may' and 'might' to talk about present or future possibility. 'May' is also used for formal permission.
Would for Past Habits
B2
Use 'would' to talk about repeated past actions and habits, similar to 'used to'. Unlike 'used to', 'would' is not normally used for past states.
Would (Polite Requests and Hypotheticals)
B1
Use 'would' for polite requests and offers, for hypothetical results (especially in conditionals), and to describe imagined situations.
Should for Advice
A2
Use 'should' to give advice or say what is the right thing to do. 'Shouldn't' advises against something. It is followed by the base form of the verb.