Ability
1. What is ability?
Ability is about what someone can or cannot do.
We use the modal verb can to talk about ability (what someone is able to do).
2. Using “can” for ability
2.1 Positive form
Subject + can + base verb + rest of the sentence
Examples:
- I can ride a bike.
- He can read a book.
- She can run fast.
- He can cook very well.
- I can solve simple puzzles.
Use can for ability in general or for something you can do right now.
- I can swim. = swimming is a general skill for me.
- I can help you now. = I am available to help at this moment.
After can, always use the base form of the verb (no -s, -ing, or to).
- ❌ She cans swim. → ✅ She can swim.
- ❌ He can to cook. → ✅ He can cook.
In positive sentences, we often say can quickly and quietly. We say can’t more strongly: I can swim / I can’t swim. In listening, can’t is usually /kɑːnt/ in British English and /kænt/ in American English.
2.2 Can with see and hear
We often use can with see and hear to say what we notice now.
- I can see the bus.
- I can hear you.
With these verbs, we do not normally use am/is/are + -ing for this meaning.
- We normally say I can see the bus, not I am seeing the bus, when we mean that we notice it now.
- We normally say I can hear the music, not I am hearing the music, when we mean that we notice it now.
2.3 Negative form
Subject + cannot / can’t + base verb
Examples:
- I cannot (can’t) drive a car.
- She cannot (can’t) speak French.
- We can’t go to the park today.
- I can’t answer the phone now.
Write cannot as one word. Can’t is the short form used in speaking.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | subject + can + base verb | She can swim. |
| Negative | subject + can’t + base verb | She can’t swim. |
2.4 Looking ahead
At a later level, you can learn how to use present be able to, for example I am able to swim.
3. Questions with can
3.1 Yes/no questions
Structure:
Can + subject + base verb?
Examples:
- Can you swim? → Yes, I can. / No, I can’t.
- Can he play football? → Yes, he can. / No, he can’t.
- Can they come to the party? → Yes, they can. / No, they can’t.
Short answers are common and correct. Always match can / can’t.
| Question | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Can you swim? | Yes, I can. | No, I can’t. |
| Can she cook? | Yes, she can. | No, she can’t. |
| Can they come? | Yes, they can. | No, they can’t. |
Do not use do or does with can in questions.
- ❌ Does he can cook?
- ✅ Can he cook?
3.2 Wh-questions
Put the question word at the beginning.
Wh-word + can + subject + base verb?
- What can you do?
- How well can you swim?
- Who can help me?
Can can also be used for permission or requests: Can I go now? / Can you help me? This page uses can to talk about ability.
Quick check
Try one question now
Check your answer when you are ready.
4. Past ability with could (extension)
This short extension shows another way to talk about ability. The main A1 point on this page is can / can’t for ability now.
Use could to talk about ability in the past.
4.1 Positive form
Subject + could + base verb
- I could swim when I was five.
- She could read when she was six.
4.2 Negative form
Subject + couldn’t + base verb
- My grandfather couldn’t read when he was young.
- I couldn’t ride a bike when I was five.
4.3 Questions
Could + subject + base verb?
- Could you ride a bike when you were six? → Yes, I could. / No, I couldn’t.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | subject + could + base verb | I could swim. |
| Negative | subject + couldn’t + base verb | I couldn’t swim. |
| Question | could + subject + base verb? | Could you swim? |
5. Quick recap
- Can = able to do something
- Can’t = not able to do something
- Always use the base verb after can/can’t
- For yes/no questions: Can + subject + base verb?
- Use could / couldn’t for ability in the past
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Ability with can
A1Ability
1 wordLast updated August 23, 2026