Explanation
Use "can" to say that someone has the ability to do something now. The form is simple: "can" + the base verb.
For example, "I can swim." Here "I" is the person, "can" shows ability, and "swim" is the base verb. Do not add "to" after "can," and do not change the verb for he or she. Japanese often uses "できる" or a potential form, but English shows this idea with "can."
"can" は、今できることを言うときに使います。形はとても簡単で、"can" のあとに動詞の原形を置きます。
たとえば "I can swim." では、"I" が人、"can" が「できる」、"swim" が動詞の原形です。"can" のあとに "to" は入れず、he や she でも動詞は変えません。日本語では「できます」や可能形を使いますが、英語では "can" で表します。
Examples
- I can swim. 私は泳げます。
- She can cook dinner. 彼女は夕食を作れます。
- Can you speak Japanese? 日本語を話せますか。
- We can meet after lunch. 昼食のあとに会えます。
- He can't drive. 彼は運転できません。
- My son can read simple books. 私の息子は簡単な本を読めます。
Common Mistakes
Japanese learners often write "I can to swim" or "He cans swim." The right forms are "I can swim" and "He can swim." After "can," use the base verb only, and do not add "to" or "-s".
日本語話者は "I can to swim" や "He cans swim" と書きやすいです。正しくは "I can swim" と "He can swim" です。"can" のあとには動詞の原形だけを置き、"to" も "-s" もつけません。