Can, could
"Can" funciona como verbo auxiliar modal y, por tanto, cumple las siguientes características:
- Va seguido de un verbo en infinitivo sin "to", excepto be able to, need to, have to y ought to.
- La tercera persona del singular no lleva -s en el presente simple.
- No necesita añadir el auxiliar do/does para la forma interrogativa y negativa.
- No tiene tiempos compuestos ni progresivos.
- No tiene infinitivo.
| Afirmativa e interrogativa | Negativa | Negativa corta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presente | can | cannot | can't |
| Pasado | could | could not | couldn't |
Can
| Afirmativo | Negativo | Interrogativo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I can do | I cannot do | I can't do | Can I do? |
| You can do | You cannot do | You can't do | Can you do? |
| He can do | He cannot do | He can't do | Can he do? |
| She can do | She cannot do | She can't do | Can she do? |
| It can do | It cannot do | It can't do | Can it do? |
| We can do | We cannot do | We can't do | Can we do? |
| You can do | You cannot do | You can't do | Can you do? |
| They can do | They cannot do | They can't do | Can they do? |
Could
| Afirmativo | Negativo | Interrogativo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I could do | I could not do | I couldn't do | Could I do? |
| You could do | You could not do | You couldn't do | Could you do? |
| He could do | He could not do | He couldn't do | Could he do? |
| She could do | She could not do | She couldn't do | Could she do? |
| It could do | It could not do | It couldn't do | Could it do? |
| We could do | We could not do | We couldn't do | Could we do? |
| You could do | You could not do | You couldn't do | Could you do? |
| They could do | They could not do | They couldn't do | Could they do? |
"Can" sólo tiene dos formas: el presente y el pasado simple. Para otros tiempos verbales utilizaremos "to be able to" (ser capaz).
Ejemplos
I'll be able to go to the beach (futuro).
Podré ir a la playa.
They have been able to find a parking place (present perfect).
Han podido encontrar un lugar para aparcar.
Cargando…
Guest
I did the quiz to see if it was something I could use with my students. It turns out it marks many of my answers as incorrect yet each correction it gives it exactly the same as the answer. Also, you might want to check number 9 since it doesn’t seem to be obligation but rather a suggestion of a time to meet. Other than that, you did very well using questions that one would very likely find in day to day conversation.
Admin
Hello Caro,
Thanks for your message and your kind words.
We’ve just corrected the information as you suggested. Could you tell us if you find anything else?
Thanks a lot,
Regards
Guest
mira, profe ay esta el trabajo del verbo should
Guest
Mira profe ya lo hice
Guest
Hola, rodrigo! una pregunta. en el punto número 1 de las diiferencia entre ‘may’ y ‘can dices que may not, se usa para denegar o prohibir, sin embargo, en el punto número 2 en la parte de may y can en negativo dices que May not’ significa ‘puede que no’ (duda)
¡Estoy confundido!
Es posible negar un permiso con may not o solamente significa «puede que no»
¡saludos!
Admin
Hola Manuel, may puede tener significado de permiso y de probabilidad. May not se puede usar para negar permiso pero también para hablar de probabilidad.
Permiso: You may use the car – Puedes usar el coche
You may not use your dad’s new car – No puedes usar el coche nuevo de tu padre
Probabilidad: He may call later – Puede que llame más tarde
Esperamos haber podido aclarar tus dudas. ¡Un saludo!