第 10 課 · 第 1 階段: 基礎
“can / could” 表示能力
初級Ability with “can / could”
構成與用法
can/could + 動詞 — 能做的事，或過去能做的事
1.形式
Can + 動詞原形（不加 to）。Can 是情態動詞：所有主語都用同一個形式，永遠不加 -s，疑問句也不用 do。
| 例句 | |
|---|---|
| 肯定式 | I / you / he / she / we / they can swim. |
| 否定式 | can't (= cannot, 連寫成一個詞) swim |
| 疑問式 | Can you swim? · What can you see? |
| 簡略回答 | Yes, I can. / No, I can't. |
聽辨 can 和 can't：肯定句中 can 弱讀成 /kən/，重音落在後面的動詞上（I can SWIM）。Can't 總是重讀：英式 /kɑːnt/，美式 /kænt/——I CAN'T swim。
2.什麼時候用
1. 能力和技能——會做某事
My grandma can speak French.
我奶奶會說法語。
I can't ride a motorbike.
我不會騎摩托車。
2. 某種情況下的可能性——條件允許的時候
You can see the whole city from the rooftop.
從樓頂可以看到整座城市。
We can't go out — it's pouring.
我們出不去——外面下著大雨。
3. 請求、給予和拒絕許可
Can I sit here?
我可以坐這兒嗎？
You can't park in front of the gate.
你不能把車停在大門前。
4. 請別人做某事（非正式）
Can you pass me the salt?
你能把鹽遞給我嗎？
3.can see、can hear…
和感官動詞 see、hear、smell、taste、feel 以及 remember、understand 連用時，英語常用 can 而不用進行時。
I can hear music next door.
我能聽到隔壁有音樂聲。（不說：I'm hearing）
Can you smell something burning?
你聞到有什麼東西燒焦了嗎？
4.過去：could / couldn't
Could = 過去的一般能力（在一段時間裡都能做某事）。Couldn't = 不能做某事。
She could read when she was four.
她四歲就會讀書了。
I couldn't sleep last night. It was too hot.
我昨晚睡不著，天太熱了。
要表示某一次成功做成了某件具體的事，用 was / were able to 或 managed to，不用肯定的 could：
The exam was hard, but I managed to finish it.
考試很難，但我還是做完了。（不說：I could finish it）
The fire spread quickly, but everyone was able to get out.
火勢蔓延得很快，但所有人都逃出來了。
否定句中，couldn't 兩種情況都可以用：I tried, but I couldn't open the jar.
5.Can 沒有將來時和完成時
Can 只有兩種形式：can 和 could。沒有 “will can”、“to can” 或 “have could” 這樣的說法。需要這些形式時，用 be able to——見下一課。
One day I'll be able to speak English fluently.
總有一天我能說一口流利的英語。
I'd love to be able to cook.
我真希望自己會做飯。
6.常見錯誤
He cans play the guitar.He can play the guitar.
can 永遠不加 -s。
I can to swim.I can swim.
can 後面不加 to。
Do you can help me?Can you help me?
can 不和 do 一起用。
I will can come tomorrow.I'll be able to come tomorrow.
將來時用 will be able to。
She can sings well.She can sing well.
can 後面用原形。
例句
- My little sister is five, but she can swim very well.
- Sorry, I can't hear you. The music is too loud.
- Can you speak Japanese?
- A: Can your dad cook? B: Yes, he can. He makes great fish soup.
