The most common structure used is ‘Can you…?’

Read the following sentences. They are all questions about ability. Sample answers are also given.

‘Can you speak English?’ ‘Yes, I can.’

‘Can you swim?’ ‘No, I can’t.’
‘Can you sing a song?’ ‘No, I can’t. I have a terrible voice.’
‘Can they repair the roof?’ ‘Yes, they can.’
‘Can you help me?’ ‘Of course. What can I do for you?’
‘Can you solve this problem?’ ‘Yes, I can.’
‘Can you sing that song again?’ ‘Yes, I can.’
‘Can you translate this letter into German?’ ‘No, I can’t’
‘Can you make a tea?’ ‘No, I can’t.’
‘Can you fix my computer?’ ‘Yes, I can.’
‘Can he ride a bicycle?’ ‘Yes, he can.’
‘Can she dance?’ ‘No, she can’t.’

Notes

To show inability, we use cannot (can’t) or could not (couldn’t).

Things to remember

Can is followed by an infinitive without to.

I can play the piano. (NOT I can to play the piano.) (NOT I can played the piano.)

Can does not take the marker –s when the subject is a singular noun or third person pronoun.

I can sing.

You can sing.

She can sing. (NOT She cans sing.) (NOT She can sings.)

They can sing.

It can sing.

We can sing.