Can significa que sabes hacer algo (habilidad), o que algo es posible: I can swim = sé nadar. We can start now = es posible ahora. También usamos Can you...? / Can I...? para pedirle a alguien ayuda o permiso: Can you help me?Can I sit here?
Qué significa can
I can ride a bike. = I know how to ride a bike.
It's sunny, so we can play outside. = it's possible.
Can you open the door? = asking for help.
Not "I can swim. = I want to swim." — say "I can swim. = I know how to swim.". Can habla de habilidad o posibilidad, no de querer.
Pruébalo: Marisol says, "I can cook." What does she mean? (She knows how to cook. / She wants to cook. / She must cook.) Respuesta: She knows how to cook. — Can muestra habilidad o posibilidad. "I can cook" significa que ella sabe hacerlo — no que quiera o tenga que hacerlo.
Pruébalo: You need help. Which sentence asks someone for help? (Can you help me? / I can help you. / You can help.) Respuesta: Can you help me? — Usamos Can you...? para pedirle ayuda a alguien. "Can you help me?" es una petición. Las otras solo dicen que alguien puede ayudar.
can + verbo tal cual
Para formar can, usa can + el verbo tal cual. Sin to, sin -ing.
I can swim.
She can drive.
They can help you.
Not "I can to swim." — say "I can swim.". Entre can y el verbo no va nada, sin to.
Pruébalo: Diego ___ at Farrisen Gym. (can swim / can to swim / can swimming) Respuesta: can swim — Después de can, usa el verbo tal cual solo: can swim. Sin "to" ni "-ing" después de can.
Igual para todos (sin -s)
Can nunca cambia. He, she, it también usan can, sin -s.
I can cook.
She can cook.
They can cook.
Not "She cans cook." — say "She can cook.". Incluso con she, se queda can, nunca cans.
Pruébalo: Camila ___ really well. (can cook / cans cook / can cooks) Respuesta: can cook — Can nunca lleva -s, y el verbo que va después también se queda tal cual: Camila can cook (no "cans" ni "cooks").
Negativo: can't
Para not, usa can't + el verbo tal cual. La forma completa es cannot (una sola palabra).
I can't swim.
He can't drive.
We cannot come today. = We can't come today.
Not "I don't can swim." — say "I can't swim.". El negativo de can es can't, no 'don't can'.
Pruébalo: Sorry, I ___ today. (can't come / don't can come / can't to come) Respuesta: can't come — El negativo de can es can't, seguido del verbo tal cual: I can't come (no "don't can" ni "to").
Preguntas: Can primero
Para preguntar, pon Canantes de la persona, y luego el verbo tal cual.
Can you swim?
Can she drive?
What can I do?
Not "Do you can swim?" — say "Can you swim?". Para una pregunta, Can va primero; no necesitas 'do'.
Pruébalo: ___ you help me with this? (Can / Do can / Are) Respuesta: Can — Empieza la pregunta con Can, antes de la persona: Can you help me? No añades "do" antes de can.
Pruébalo: Remember what follows can, Lani ___ a bike. (can ride / can rides / can to ride) Respuesta: can ride — Después de can, siempre el verbo tal cual: can ride. (Sin -s, sin "to", sin "-ing", siempre.)