Can: saying what is possible — Foreign languages, 7–10 years
The word can gives a quick way to talk about an ability or something that is possible. Foreign languages, 7–10 years.
Can opens a possibility
In English, can tells us that someone has an ability or that an action is possible. Put can before the main verb: I can swim, We can help and Birds can fly. The main verb stays in its simple form after can.
Why use can?
People often need to say what they can do before they can explain how. Can solves that small communication problem in one short word. It is useful for abilities, choices and possibilities, so a listener can quickly understand what is available.
Building I can ride a bike
Start with the person: I. Choose can because the sentence is about an ability. Add the action in its simple form, ride, and then the object, a bike. The finished sentence is I can ride a bike. Do not add to before ride.
Do not add to after can
A common mistake is I can to swim. It feels reasonable because English often uses to before an action, as in I want to swim. But can already does the joining work, so the next verb is simple: I can swim, not I can to swim.
Can in everyday life
You see can in games, instructions, menus and conversations. A game may say You can choose one card, while a museum sign says You can take photos. People also use it to share abilities, such as I can speak two languages, without giving a long explanation.
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