Expressing Ability: Can, Cannot, Can’t, Could

1. Using “Can” and “Cannot/Can’t” for Present Ability

💡 “Can” is used to describe someone’s ability to do something now.
💡 “Cannot” or “can’t” indicates a lack of ability in the present.
💡 “Can” remains the same for all subjects (I, you, he, she, it, we, they).
💡 Sentence Structure:

• Affirmative: Subject + can + base verb
  • Example: She can play the piano.
• Negative: Subject + cannot/can’t + base verb
  • Example: He cannot speak French

Examples:

• 🎸 I can play the guitar well.
• 🍲 She can cook delicious meals.
• 🚗 They can drive long distances.
• 🏊 He can swim across the lake.
• 🎨 We can paint beautiful landscapes.
• 📚 You can read in Spanish.’;;.
• 🚴 I can ride a bike without help.
• 🎮 She can play video games expertly.
• 🧑‍🍳 They cannot bake very well. (negative)
• 🎻 He can’t play the violin yet. (negative)

2. Using “Could” for Past Ability

💡 “Could” is the past tense of “can.”
💡 It describes abilities someone had in the past, often during childhood or previous periods.
💡 “Could” is used with all subjects (I, you, he, she, it, we, they).
💡 Sentence Structure:

• Subject + could + base verb
  • Example: They could swim when they were kids.

Examples:

• 👶 I could speak two languages as a child.
• 🧗 She could climb mountains when she was young.
• 🚲 He could ride a bike by age five.
• 🎻 They could play the violin in school.
• 🕺 We could dance for hours in college.
• 📖 I could read books quickly back then.
• 👀 She could see without glasses before.
• 🏃 He could run faster than anyone when she was 10.
• 🐕 They could train dogs easily.
• 🍰 I could bake delicious cakes for family events.

3. Using “Can” for Future Ability

💡 “Can” can express ability or permission for the future, especially for plans that are certain or scheduled.
💡 It suggests that the speaker is confident about the future ability.
💡 Sentence Structure:

• Subject + can + base verb (future context)
  • Example: She can join the meeting tomorrow.

Examples:

• 🛫 I can travel to Paris next summer.
• 📝 She can finish her thesis by next month.
• 👨‍🏫 They can teach the new course next semester.
• 🧑‍⚕️ He can assist in the hospital once he graduates.
• 🎉 We can celebrate together on your birthday.
• 🏡 I can move into my new apartment next week.
• 🎨 She can join the art class starting tomorrow.
• 📚 They can complete the project by next week.
• 🍽️ We can have dinner at the new restaurant soon.
• 🎬 He can direct the play next season.