English · A1 · verb · 4 minutes
Can: present modal
Express ability, permission, and possibility without third-person -s.
Understand the choice
Modal can carries ability, permission, or possibility. It makes questions by inversion and negatives with cannot/can’t, without do/does.
Core rule: Can has one form for all subjects and is followed by a bare infinitive without to.
Notice it in context
I can swim, but my brother cannot drive.
Puedo nadar, pero mi hermano no sabe conducir.
Can supports base swim/drive; brother does not trigger cans.
Can you open the window?
Are you able or willing to open the window?
Can precedes subject you in the request question.
They can come with us tomorrow.
It is possible for them to join us tomorrow.
Can is unchanged with they; come is bare infinitive.
What to remember
- Cannot is normally one word; can’t is its contraction.
- Be able to supplies other tenses: will be able to.
Common trap: Do not write he cans or can to swim.