can
何かをすることができる能力や、可能であることを表す時に使います。
Can is the essential tool for expressing what you are capable of doing right now.
30秒でわかる単語
- Used to express ability or capability.
- Used to ask for or grant permission.
- Followed by the base form of a verb.
Summary
Can is the essential tool for expressing what you are capable of doing right now.
- Used to express ability or capability.
- Used to ask for or grant permission.
- Followed by the base form of a verb.
Remember the base verb rule
Never add 'to' or 's' after 'can'. It is always 'can swim', not 'can to swim' or 'can swims'.
Avoid double modals
You cannot use two modal verbs together. Do not say 'I will can go', instead use 'I will be able to go'.
Politeness variations
While 'Can I...' is common, native speakers often use 'Could I...' or 'May I...' to sound more polite in formal settings.
例文
4 / 4I can swim across the lake.
Can I use your phone, please?
You can leave whenever you want.
Heavy rain can cause flooding.
語族
覚え方のコツ
Think of 'CAN' as 'Capability And Nature'. If it is in your nature or capability, you CAN do it!
Overview
'Can' is one of the most frequently used modal verbs in the English language. It is primarily used to describe what a person or thing is capable of doing. Because it is a modal verb, it does not change form (no 's' in the third person) and is followed by the base form of the main verb without 'to'. Usage Patterns: The structure is simple: [Subject] + [can] + [base verb]. For negatives, we use 'cannot' or 'can't'. For questions, we invert the subject and 'can' (e.g., 'Can you swim?'). Common Contexts: We use 'can' for physical ability (I can run fast), mental ability (I can speak French), or permission (Can I go now?). It is also used to express general possibilities or theoretical occurrences. Similar Words Comparison: 'Can' is often compared to 'could' and 'be able to'. 'Could' is the past tense of 'can' or a more polite/tentative version of the present tense. 'Be able to' is a phrase that can be used in all tenses, whereas 'can' is restricted to the present. Using 'be able to' is often necessary when you need to use a tense other than the present, such as the future ('I will be able to help you') or the perfect ('I have been able to finish it'). Understanding these nuances helps learners sound more natural and accurate in various social and professional settings.
使い方のコツ
Can is used in both formal and informal registers. It is the standard way to express capability. In very formal writing, 'be able to' is sometimes preferred to avoid the repetitive use of modal verbs.
よくある間違い
The most common mistake is adding 'to' after 'can'. Another error is trying to use 'can' in the future tense (e.g., 'I will can'). Always use 'will be able to' for the future.
覚え方のコツ
Think of 'CAN' as 'Capability And Nature'. If it is in your nature or capability, you CAN do it!
語源
The word comes from the Old English 'cunnan', meaning 'to know' or 'to know how to'. It is related to the word 'cunning' and 'can' (as in a container).
文化的な背景
The word 'can' reflects the English focus on capability and empowerment. It is a cornerstone of the 'can-do' attitude often associated with modern professional culture.
例文
I can swim across the lake.
everydayCan I use your phone, please?
formalYou can leave whenever you want.
informalHeavy rain can cause flooding.
academic語族
よく使う組み合わせ
よく使うフレーズ
can't help it
as best as I can
can you believe it
よく混同される語
Could is the past tense of can or a more polite present tense. Use 'can' for current ability and 'could' for past ability or polite requests.
May is more formal than 'can'. Use 'may' when asking for permission in very professional or academic environments.
文法パターン
Remember the base verb rule
Never add 'to' or 's' after 'can'. It is always 'can swim', not 'can to swim' or 'can swims'.
Avoid double modals
You cannot use two modal verbs together. Do not say 'I will can go', instead use 'I will be able to go'.
Politeness variations
While 'Can I...' is common, native speakers often use 'Could I...' or 'May I...' to sound more polite in formal settings.
自分をテスト
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence.
She ___ play the piano very well.
Modal verbs do not change for the third person singular.
Select the sentence that uses 'can' correctly.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Modal verbs are followed by the base form of the verb without 'to'.
Rearrange the words to form a question.
you / can / speak / English / ?
In questions, the modal verb 'can' moves to the front of the sentence.
スコア： /3
よくある質問
4 問No, 'can' is a modal verb and never changes form. You say 'he can' instead of 'he cans'.
You simply add 'not' after 'can' to make it 'cannot' or the common contraction 'can't'. Both are widely accepted in speech and writing.
No, 'can' is for the present. Use 'could' for the past tense or 'was able to' to describe a specific achievement.
It is neutral and used in almost every context. However, 'may' is often preferred in very formal requests or official permissions.
文脈で学ぶ
この単語を他の言語で
関連語彙
generalの関連語
about
A1'about'は、何かの話題について話すときや、おおよその量を表すときに使います。
above
A2何かの真上にある、より高い位置を示します。
accident
A2予期せず起こる悪い出来事で、損害や怪我につながることがあるものです。
action
A2目標を達成するために何かを実際に行うことだよ。
after
A2'after'は、時間的または場所的に、何かの後であることを意味します。
afterward
A2At a later or subsequent time.
again
A2'again'は、何かがもう一度起こる、繰り返されることを意味します。
aged
B1ある特定の年齢であること。人や物の年齢を表す時に使うよ。
alive
A2死んでおらず、生命活動をしている状態。
all
A2'all'は、物事の全体や、一つ残らずすべてを指します。
