N4142/179

ことができる

Verb (dictionary form) + ことができる

Meanings

to be able to do
can do
have the ability to

About this pattern

Explanation

ことができる expresses ability or possibility. It is used to say that someone is capable of performing an action, often in a neutral or polite way. It can refer to personal ability, or general possibility in a given situation. It tends to be used with verbs in their dictionary form (the plain form without ます or ない). It is common in everyday speech and writing for stating what someone can do, or what is possible under certain conditions.

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Example sentences

私は泳ぐことができる。

I can swim.

彼は英語を話すことができる。

He can speak English.

このアプリを使えば、写真を簡単に共有することができる。

If you use this app, you can share photos easily.

私たちは週末に山へ行くことができる。

We can go to the mountains this weekend.

日本語で質問することができれば、先生に聞いてください。

If you can ask in Japanese, please ask the teacher.

Related patterns

Or something; Any... (with question words); No matter (who)

easy to (do); likely to (happen); easy to be affected by

Difficult to; Hard to; Not easy to do something

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More N4 patterns

Or something; Any... (with question words); No matter (who)

easy to (do); likely to (happen); easy to be affected by

Difficult to; Hard to; Not easy to do something

Gradually; Little by little; Step by step

more and more; rapidly; increasing quickly; progressively

We/They/You all (plural forms); These/Those (plural demonstratives); Plural suffix for certain pronouns and demonstratives