Translated examples
私は泳ぐことができます。
I can swim.
ここで本を借りることができます。
You can borrow books here.
日本語を読むことができます。
I can read Japanese.
今日は参加することができません。
I cannot participate today.
去年は一人で行くことができませんでした。
Last year I could not go alone.
この店で野菜を買うことができます。
You can buy vegetables at this shop.
A dictionary-form verb followed by ことができる presents an action as possible. It can describe ability or what a place or situation allows. It does not by itself grant permission; ask てもいいですか when you need someone’s consent.
Formation and use
Keep the verb in its dictionary form: 泳ぐことができます, 食べることができます, 料理することができます. Do not use the ます form immediately before こと.
The whole action is nominalised by こと and marked with が. In 日本語を読むことができます, 日本語を remains inside the action phrase. This differs from potential 読めます, where particle choices can vary.
Comparisons and common errors
Conjugate できる for the intended time and politeness: できない・できました・できませんでした. The embedded dictionary form does not change merely because the main predicate is past.
この図書館で本を借りることができます describes a service or possibility. Permission to take a particular action may need a separate question. Also learn the shorter potential forms, such as 読める and 食べられる.
Practise with explanations
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History and self-check answers
The answers below are for self-study and do not record a score. Mixed practice uses topics you have practised.
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