The verb "can"

Use

Can is a verb that is very often used in the English language. We use it when we

express that someone is able to do something: He can speak Spanish.;
express that something is possible: The kids can stay at our place after school.;
ask for something: Can I have some water, please?;
ask for or give permission: Can I go to the party tonight? Yes, you can go.;
offer to do something: Can I help you?.

Statements with can

The verb can always requires the infinitive form of the following verb: She can swim. They can go. We can meet you there, okay? Rule: Noun/pronoun + can + infinitive + ….

Can has only one form. It does not change with he, she, it:

I can
You can
He, She, It can
We can
You can
They can

The "negative form" of can is can't or cannot: You cannot go to that party! She can't speak English. I can't call you because my phone is out of order.

Questions with can

Remember that we ask a Yes/No Question using the verb "to be": form of to be + noun/pronoun + …? Are you tired? The same rule applies for questions with the verb can: can + noun/pronoun + verb + …?

She can swim.

Can she swim? I can help you.

Can I help you? Anna can speak German.

Can Anna speak German?

Short answers with can

You can answer questions with Yes, I/you/he/she/it/we/they/… can. or No, I/you/he/she/it/we/they/… can't.:

Can you swim?

Yes, I can. Can I help you?

Yes, you can. Can Peter speak Spanish?

No, he can't.

Although can't is the short form of cannot, you usually don't use cannot in short answers without a verb following. With cannot, the answer would be longer: Can Peter speak Spanish?

No, he cannot speak Spanish.

Das Verb "can"

Gebrauch

Can ist ein Verb, das in der englischen Sprache sehr oft gebraucht wird. Wir benutzen es, wenn wir

ausdrücken, dass jemand in der Lage ist, etwas zu tun: He can speak Spanish.;
ausdrücken, dass etwas möglich ist: The kids can stay at our place after school.;
um etwas bitten: Can I have some water, please?;
um Erlaubnis bitten oder sie geben: Can I go to the party tonight? Yes, you can go.;
anbieten, etwas zu tun: Can I help you?.

Aussagen mit can

Das Verb can fordert immer die Grundform des folgenden Verbs: She can swim. They can go. We can meet you there, okay? Regel: Nomen/Pronomen + can + Infinitiv (Grundform) + ….

Can hat nur eine Form. Diese verändert sich nicht bei he, she, it:

I can
You can
He, She, It can
We can
You can
They can

Die "verneinte Form" von can ist can't oder cannot: You cannot go to that party! She can't speak English. I can't call you because my phone is broken.

Fragen mit can

Erinnere dich daran, wie man eine Entscheidungsfrage mit dem Verb to be stellt: Form von to be + Nomen/Pronomen + …? Are you tired? Die selbe Regel gilt für Fragen mit dem Verb can: can + Nomen/Pronomen + Verb + …?