Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'can' to talk about skills, physical abilities, or things you know how to do right now.
- No 'to' after can: 'I can swim', not 'I can to swim'.
- No '-s' for he/she/it: 'She can sing', not 'She cans sing'.
- Use 'can't' for negatives: 'I can't drive' is the standard contraction.
Overview
can을 사용하고 있는 거야.can은 너의 가장 친한 친구가 되어줄 거야.can을 사용할 수 있게 도와줄게. 더 이상 추측할 필요도, 어색한 실수도 없을 거야.How This Grammar Works
can을 modal verb라고 생각해 봐. 이건 그냥 도와주는 역할이라는 걸 거창하게 부르는 말일 뿐이야. 본동사가 무엇이 가능한지 보여주는 걸 도와주지.he나 she 뒤에 -s를 붙이지 않아. 과거형이라고 -ed를 붙이지도 않지. 그냥 can 그대로야.to를 절대 쓰지 않아.can swim이지, can to swim이 아니야. 본동사는 가장 단순한 형태를 유지해. 덕분에 공부하기가 훨씬 수월해질 거야.can + base verb = 성공!
Formation Pattern
can으로 문장을 만드는 건 레고 블록을 쌓는 것과 같아. 그냥 탁탁 끼워 맞추기만 하면 돼. 여기 성공을 위한 비밀 레시피가 있어:
-ing, -s, -ed 같은 건 없어.
not만 붙이면 돼. 보통은 줄여서 can't라고 하지. 친구들과 대화할 때는 이게 훨씬 더 자연스럽게 들려. 의문문은 주어와 can의 위치를 바꾸기만 하면 돼. 마치 가벼운 댄스 동작처럼 말이야.
I can code | 코드를 짤 줄 알아요
She can't sing | 그녀는 노래를 못 해요
Can they play? | 그들이 연주할 수 있나요?
Yes, I can | 네, 할 수 있어요
No, she can't | 아니요, 그녀는 못 해요
When To Use It
can을 사용해.- General Skills: 네가 배운 것들이야. 코딩, 스페인어 말하기, 운전 같은 것들이지.
I
candrive an Uber. - Physical Abilities: 지금 당장 네 몸이 할 수 있는 것들이야.
He
아니면canrun a marathon.I
(컨디션 좋은 날엔 말이야).cantouch my toes - Mental Abilities: 뇌가 하는 일들이지.
She
cansolve complex math problems.
I can finally cook a five-course meal! 아니면 틱톡 댓글: How can you dance like that? 구직 활동에도 필수적이야. Zoom 인터뷰에서 I can manage large teams efficiently.라고 말할 수 있지.I can finish this project in five minutes.처럼 실제로 할 수 없는 일을 약속하는 데 쓰지는 마. 우리 둘 다 그건 거짓말인 거 알잖아.
Common Mistakes
- The
ToTrap: 절대I can to swim
이라고 말하지 마. 너무 애쓰는 것처럼 들리거든. 그냥I
이라고 해.canswim - The Third Person
S:He cans cook이라고 하지 마. 이건 마치 그가 음식을 금속 통(캔)에 넣고 있는 것처럼 들려.He
이라고 해야 해.cancook - The Past Tense Mix-up:
Can은 현재형에만 써. 어린 시절에 대해 이야기한다면could를 사용해. - The Double Modal:
I will can go
라고 말하지 마. 대신will be able to go를 사용해.can은 다른 도움 동사와 주인공 자리를 나누는 걸 싫어하거든. - Double Negatives: "I can't do nothing«은 피해 줘. »I
can'tdo anything"을 사용하는 게 훨씬 더 똑똑해 보여.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
can에게는 be able to라는 사촌이 있어. 거의 같은 일을 하지만 느낌이 좀 달라.- Can: 이건 '쿨한' 사촌이야. 비격식적이고 빠르며, 90%의 상황에서 쓰여. 친구, 가족, 그리고 대부분의 이메일에서 사용해.
- Be able to: 이건 '정장 차림'의 사촌이야. 더 격식 있지. 공식 문서나
can이 문법적으로 어울리지 않을 때(예:will뒤에) 사용해.
I can help you (자연스러움) vs. I am able to help you(매우 격식 있음/딱딱함).
know how to도 있어. 이건 구체적으로 '배워서 익힌 기술'에 사용해. I know how to fix a computer라고 하면 네가 그걸 공부했다는 의미가 담겨 있어. I can fix a computer는 그냥 능력이 있다는 뜻이지. 대부분의 경우 can이 더 짧아서 이기곤 해. 솔직히 말해서, 이동 중에 문자 보낼 때는 우리 모두 짧은 문장을 좋아하잖아.Quick FAQ
cannot은 can't와 같나요?
응, 하지만 cannot은 아주 격식 있는 표현이야. 평상시 99%는 can't를 사용해. 시간도 아끼고 숨도 덜 찰 거야.
허락을 구할 때 can을 써도 되나요?
물론이지!
Can I borrow your charger?왜 I am canning이라고는 안 하나요?
can은 조동사이기 때문이야. -ing 형태가 없거든. 그게 꼭 필요하다면 being able to를 사용해.
can을 미래의 능력에 쓸 수 있나요?
보통은 will be able to를 사용해. 하지만 정해진 일정에 대해서는 가끔 can을 쓰기도 해.
I can meet you tomorrow at 5.
내가 무언가를 '정말로' 할 수 있다는 걸 어떻게 강조하나요?
I can indeed나 I definitely can이라고 말하면 돼. 다만 소리 지르지는 마, 그건 좀 이상하니까.
Present Tense of 'Can'
| Subject | Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
can
|
can't / cannot
|
Can I...?
|
|
You
|
can
|
can't / cannot
|
Can you...?
|
|
He/She/It
|
can
|
can't / cannot
|
Can he/she/it...?
|
|
We
|
can
|
can't / cannot
|
Can we...?
|
|
They
|
can
|
can't / cannot
|
Can they...?
|
Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
cannot
|
can't
|
Standard spoken/informal written
|
|
can not
|
n/a
|
Rarely used except for emphasis
|
|
can
|
n/a
|
No affirmative contraction exists
|
Meanings
Expresses that a person or thing has the power, skill, or opportunity to perform a specific action in the present.
Physical/Mental Ability
Having the inherent power or learned skill to do something.
“He can lift 100 kilograms.”
“She can solve complex math problems in her head.”
General Possibility
Expressing that something is possible or allowed by circumstances.
“You can buy stamps at the post office.”
“We can see the mountains from our window.”
Informal Permission
Asking for or giving permission in casual settings.
“Can I use your phone?”
“You can go home now if you're finished.”
Requests
Asking someone to do something for you.
“Can you help me with this bag?”
“Can you pass the salt, please?”
Reference Table
| 주어 | 긍정문 (할 수 있다) | 부정문 (할 수 없다) | 의문문 (할 수 있나요?) | 짧은 대답 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
I can speak.
|
I can't / cannot speak.
|
Can I speak?
|
Yes, I can. / No, I can't.
|
|
You
|
You can sing.
|
You can't / cannot sing.
|
Can you sing?
|
Yes, you can. / No, you can't.
|
|
He/She/It
|
He can dance.
|
He can't / cannot dance.
|
Can he dance?
|
Yes, he can. / No, he can't.
|
|
We
|
We can play.
|
We can't / cannot play.
|
Can we play?
|
Yes, we can. / No, we can't.
|
|
They
|
They can run.
|
They can't / cannot run.
|
Can they run?
|
Yes, they can. / No, they can't.
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
I was wondering if you might be able to assist me? (Requesting assistance)
Can you help me with this, please? (Requesting assistance)
Can you give me a hand? (Requesting assistance)
Yo, can you help a brother out? (Requesting assistance)
'Can'의 사용법 개념 지도
능력
- 기술 She can play guitar.
- 역량 My phone can store 1TB.
허락
- 묻기 Can I leave?
- 해주기 You can go now.
가능성
- 일반적 It can be cold in winter.
- 특성 Stress can cause headaches.
요청
- 가벼운 Can you help me?
- 직접적인 Can you close the door?
'Can' vs. 흔한 실수
'Can' 사용 결정 흐름도
누군가의 능력, 기술, 역량에 대해 이야기하고 싶나요?
허락을 구하거나 해주려고 하나요?
일반적인 가능성이나 특성을 설명하고 있나요?
가볍고 직접적인 요청을 하고 있나요?
현대 생활 속 'Can'
온라인 채팅
- • Can you send that meme?
- • I can join the group call.
- • Who can help with this doc?
주문/앱
- • Can I add a note?
- • You can track your order.
- • Can you deliver by 7?
공부/업무
- • I can present next.
- • Can we meet on Zoom?
- • This tool can automate tasks.
소셜 미디어
- • She can really dance! #talent
- • Can you believe this view?
- • I can't even! 😂
수준별 예문
I can swim.
Can you help me?
She can't cook.
They can speak English.
You can buy bread at the bakery.
Can I open the window?
He can play the guitar very well.
We can't come to the party tonight.
I can't find my keys anywhere.
Can you tell me how to get to the station?
You can see the whole city from the top of the tower.
If you finish early, you can go home.
It can be quite difficult to find a job these days.
I can't have left my phone at the restaurant.
Can you believe how much he has changed?
The software can handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
One can only imagine the impact of such a decision.
The results can be interpreted in several ways.
I can't help but feel that we've made a mistake.
Can it be that she was lying all along?
The sheer scale of the disaster can hardly be overstated.
As far as I can gather, the deal is still on.
He can be quite the charmer when he wants to be.
Such behavior can but lead to trouble.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners often use 'could' for present ability because they think it's just a more polite version of 'can'.
Traditional grammar says 'may' is for permission and 'can' is for ability.
Learners try to combine them to talk about future ability.
자주 하는 실수
I can to swim.
I can swim.
He cans play.
He can play.
I no can go.
I can't go.
Can you to help?
Can you help?
I don't can dance.
I can't dance.
I will can come.
I will be able to come.
She can sings.
She can sing.
I can't to find it.
I can't find it.
I haven't canned.
I haven't been able to.
Can you may help?
Can you help? / May you help?
It can't have been true.
It can't have been true.
문장 패턴
I can ___ very well.
Can you ___ for me, please?
You can't ___ in this area.
It can be ___ to ___.
Real World Usage
I can use Microsoft Excel at an advanced level.
Can u come over later?
Can I have the burger without onions?
Where can I buy a bus ticket?
I can't even! 😍
I can't move my arm very well.
'Can'을 작은 상황에서 연습해보세요
'Can' 뒤에 'to' 붙이지 마세요
can run, can to run은 틀려요).'Can't'와 'cannot'의 차이
더 공손한 요청: 'could' vs 'can'
Could you pass the salt, please?
일반적인 가능성을 나타내는 'Can'
It can get hot here in August.
Smart Tips
Swap 'can' for 'be able to' to sound more professional.
Use 'Could I have...' instead of 'I want...' or 'Can I have...'.
Remember: Modals are 'to-allergic'. If you see 'can', delete the 'to' immediately.
Listen for the 't' in 'can't'. If you don't hear a 't' but the word is long, it's probably negative.
발음
The Weak 'Can'
In affirmative sentences, 'can' is usually unstressed and sounds like /kən/ (rhymes with 'run').
The Strong 'Can'
In short answers or for emphasis, 'can' is stressed and sounds like /kæn/ (rhymes with 'pan').
The Stressed 'Can't'
The negative 'can't' is always stressed and has a long /æ/ or /ɑː/ sound depending on the dialect.
Rising Intonation
Can you help? ↗
Standard yes/no question
Falling Intonation
I can't do it. ↘
Definitive statement of inability
암기하기
기억법
CAN: C-apability, A-bility, N-ow. It's what you are capable of doing right now!
시각적 연상
Imagine a 'Can' of soda with a superhero cape. The 'Can' has the power to do anything! When you see a can, think of your own superpowers (skills).
Rhyme
No 'to', no '-s', 'can' is the best for the ability test!
Story
Meet Sam. Sam is a 'Can-do' person. He can speak five languages, he can climb mountains, and he can even bake a cake. But today, he can't go outside because it's raining. He can stay home and read instead.
Word Web
챌린지
Write down 5 things you can do and 5 things you can't do. Then, ask a friend if they can do those same things.
문화 노트
While 'may' is technically more correct for permission, using 'can' is standard. If a teacher says 'I don't know, CAN you?' when you ask 'Can I go to the bathroom?', they are making a joke about your physical ability vs. permission.
In professional emails, 'be able to' is often used to sound more polite and capable than the simple 'can'.
Australians often use 'can' in very casual, shortened requests, sometimes dropping the subject in very informal speech.
Derived from the Old English 'cunnan', which meant 'to know' or 'to know how to'.
대화 시작하기
What is one thing you can do that most people can't?
Can you speak any other languages besides English?
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and what could you do with it?
Can you tell me about a time you couldn't do something, but then you learned how?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
My brother ___ play the guitar really well.
Find and fix the mistake:
She can to speak three languages.
Choose the correct sentence:
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /4
연습 문제
8 exercisesWhich of these is correct?
I ___ (not / can) come to the meeting tomorrow.
Find and fix the mistake:
Can you to help me with my homework?
I know how to play the violin.
A: Can you drive a car? B: No, ___.
'Can I use your pen?'
French / she / speak / can't / very / well
1. Can you swim? 2. Can I go? 3. Can it rain?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
13 exercisesA: ___ I borrow your charger? B: Of course!
My cat ___ climb trees easily, but it ___ get down by itself.
If you work hard, you ___ achieve anything you set your mind to.
My old phone cannot to run that new game.
When I was younger, I can lift heavy weights.
올바른 문장을 고르세요:
올바른 문장을 고르세요:
영어로 번역하세요: 'Você pode me ajudar com esta caixa?'
영어로 번역하세요: 'Eu não consigo encontrar meus óculos.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Arrange these words into a question:
Match the subjects with the correct ability statement:
Match the situation with the best 'can' sentence:
Score: /13
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
'Can' is for the present (I can swim now), while 'could' is for the past (I could swim when I was six). 'Could' is also more polite for requests.
'Can't' is much more common in speaking and informal writing. 'Cannot' is used in formal documents or for strong emphasis.
In English, you cannot put two modal verbs together. To talk about the future, use 'I will be able to'.
No, 'can' is a modal verb, and modals never change their form. It is always 'can'.
Yes, it is very common. 'Can I go?' is perfectly fine, though 'May I go?' is more formal.
'Know how to' is only for learned skills. 'Can' is for skills AND physical ability or opportunity.
In a sentence, 'can' is often short (/kən/). 'Can't' is always long and stressed (/kænt/).
Yes, we use it for general possibilities, like 'It can get very hot in July'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Poder
Spanish conjugates 'poder' (puedo, puedes), while English 'can' never changes.
Pouvoir
French requires different forms for 'I can' (je peux) and 'we can' (nous pouvons).
Können
German conjugates the modal (ich kann, wir können).
～（ら）れる / ことができる
English uses a separate word ('can') before the verb, while Japanese modifies the verb itself.
يستطيع (yastati'u)
Arabic requires the second verb to be conjugated to match the subject.
会 (huì) / 能 (néng)
English uses 'can' for both learned skills and physical ability.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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