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Be able to A; can do A
  1. Be able to A; can do A
  2. Can A; be possible to A (possibility of the subject to do A)
12
          こと  できた       だんだん                 
I could sing really well when I was a child, but my voice slowly changed and now I can't sing at all.
19
        こと  できます   
Can you speak Japanese?
5
あなた          こと  できます   
Can you swim across the river?
13
あなた  おかげで         こと  できました  
Thanks to your help, I was able to finish early.
18
100 メートル  12       こと  できます  
He can run 100 meters within twelve seconds.

Getting the sentences
Construction
(Elements in parentheses are optional.)
AVerb: Dictionary Form
こと
できる
Basic Examples:
およぐことできる (I can swim)

ANoun
できる
Basic Examples:
しょどうできる (I can do calligraphy)

Where this grammar is found


User notes
 
Can A; be possible to A (possibility of the subject to do A)
  1. Be able to A; can do A
  2. Can A; be possible to A (possibility of the subject to do A)
8
      という                のる こと  できる  
If you buy an all-you-can-ride ticket, it's possible to ride the train as many times as you like.
11
この               こと  できる  
You can read this book in both English and in Japanese.
11
あなた  ここ    こと  できません  
You can not swim here.
17
あなた              こと  できます  
You can borrow three books at a time.
5
            こと  できる  
You can enter the gym from the infirmary.
12
10      こと  できる  
It can accommodate as many as ten people.

Getting the sentences
Construction
(Elements in parentheses are optional.)
AVerb: Dictionary Form
こと
できる
Basic Examples:
みることできる (one can see)

ANoun
できる
Basic Examples:
うんてんできる (it's possible to drive)

Where this grammar is found


User notes

Discussion about this grammar
avatar
Diamondrock
Level: 1
I'm not entirely sure I understand the distinction between meaning #1 and meaning #2.
3
15 years ago
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マイコー
Level: 256
Some model sentences would help, I imagine. #1 shows an ability, while #2 shows potential. #1 shows that a person can or cannot do something such as sing or speak a language. #2 shows that in a certain situation, something is possible. Quick example that I don't have time to put in as a model:
でメードカフェにくことがます.

It's not that you have the actual power to ability to go to the maid cafe, but that it's possible to do so.
4
15 years ago
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mireille
Level: 1
I'm not sure if I should post it here but できる also means: To be made; to be built; to be ready; to be completed; to grow; to be raised.

E.g.
しいができて便になった。
The new train station that's been built in the suburbs is really convenient.

してができると、をやめるい。
Many women quit their jobs to start raising their child after marriage.
0
14 years ago
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マイコー
Level: 256
Since this page is for ことができる, I'd say that leans a bit more towards vocab and less towards grammar; however, I want to keep it in the comments for others to see when they read this page, thanks!
0
14 years ago
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Lang_learner
Level: 1
Whats the difference betweem this grammar and just using the potential form of a verb? Is there a different nuance? Thanks in advance! :)
1
10 years ago
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