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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)
好
8点
子 供 の 時 、 上 手 に 歌 う こと が できた けれど 、 声 が だんだん 変 わ っ て き て 、 今 全 然 歌 え ま せ ん 。 
I could sing really well when I was a child, but my voice slowly changed and now I can't sing at all.
好
14点
君 は 日 本 語 で 話 す こと が できます か ？ 
Can you speak Japanese?
好
5点
あなた は 、 泳 い で 川 を 渡 る こと が できます か 。 
Can you swim across the river?
好
10点
あなた の おかげで 、 私 は 早 く 終 え る こと が できました 。 
Thanks to your help, I was able to finish early.
好
17点
１００ メートル を １２ 秒 以 内 で 走 る こと が できます 。 
He can run 100 meters within twelve seconds.

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Construction
(Elements in parentheses are optional.)
AVerb: Dictionary Form
こと
が
できる
Basic Examples:
およぐことができる (I can swim)

ANoun
が
できる
Basic Examples:
しょどうができる (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)
好
4点
「 乗り放題 」 という 切 符 を 買 っ た ら 、 何 回 でも 電 車 に 乗 る こと が 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.
好
8点
この 本 は 英 語 と 日 本 語 の 両 方 で 読 む こと が できる 。 
You can read this book in both English and in Japanese.
好
9点
あなた は ここ で 泳 ぐ こと が できません 。 
You can not swim here.
好
16点
あなた 達 は 一 度 に ３ 冊 の 本 を 借 り る こと が できます 。 
You can borrow three books at a time.
好
4点
体 育 館 へ は 保 健 室 から 入 る こと が できる 。 
You can enter the gym from the infirmary.
好
10点
１０ 人 も 泊 ま る こと が できる 。 
It can accommodate as many as ten people.

There are no user-submitted sentences!
Getting the sentences
Construction
(Elements in parentheses are optional.)
AVerb: Dictionary Form
こと
が
できる
Basic Examples:
みることができる (one can see)

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

Where this grammar is found


User notes

Discussion about this grammar
Diamondrock
Studying: Graduate School Placement Exam
Level: 1, 好 : 50
I'm not entirely sure I understand the distinction between meaning #1 and meaning #2.
好
3点
13 years ago
avatar
マイコー
Site admin
 Level: 140, 好 : 7,149
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:
東京でメードカフェに行くことが出来ます.

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.
好
4点
13 years ago
avatar
mireille
Years Studied: 3
Studying: JLPT N3 & JLPT 2級
Level: 1, 好 : 100
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.
郊外に新しい地下鉄の駅ができて便利になった。
The new train station that's been built in the suburbs is really convenient.

結婚して子供ができると、仕事をやめる女性が多い。
Many women quit their jobs to start raising their child after marriage.
好
0点
13 years ago
avatar
マイコー
Site admin
 Level: 140, 好 : 7,149
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!
好
0点
13 years ago
Lang_learner
Years Studied: 2 years
Studying: Grammar and vocabulary
Level: 1, 好 : 56
Whats the difference betweem this grammar and just using the potential form of a verb? Is there a different nuance? Thanks in advance! :)
好
0点
9 years ago



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