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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)
20
子 供 の 時 、 上 手 に 歌 う こと が できた け れ ど 、 声 が 段 々 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.
0
27
君 は 日 本 語 で 話 す こと が できます か ？ 
Can you speak Japanese?
0
10
貴方 は 、 泳 い で 川 を 渡 る こと が できます か 。 
Can you swim across the river?
0
20
貴方 の お 陰 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.
0
27
１００ 米 を １２ 秒 以 内 で 走 る こと が できます 。 
He can run 100 meters within twelve seconds.
0

Getting the sentences
Construction
(Elements in parentheses are optional.)
AVerb: Dictionary Form
こと
が
できる
Basic Examples:
泳ぐ事が出来る (I can swim)

ANoun
が
できる
Basic Examples:
書道が出来る (I can do calligraphy)

Where this grammar is found


Grammar usage notes

Nothing posted yet!

Questions/Discussion

Nothing posted yet!
 
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)
15
「 乗 り 放 題 」 と 言 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.
0
20
此 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.
0
15
貴方 は 此 処 で 泳 ぐ こと が できません 。 
You can not swim here.
0
25
貴方 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.
0
10
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.
0
18
１０ 人 も 泊 ま る こと が できる 。 
It can accommodate as many as ten people.
0

Getting the sentences
Construction
(Elements in parentheses are optional.)
AVerb: Dictionary Form
こと
が
できる
Basic Examples:
見る事が出来る (one can see)

ANoun
が
できる
Basic Examples:
運転が出来る (it's possible to drive)

Where this grammar is found


Grammar usage notes

Nothing posted yet!

Questions/Discussion

Nothing posted yet!

Discussion about this grammar
This section has been archived, and no new posts can be added. Please use the discussion form(s) above.
avatar
Diamondrock
Level: 1
I'm not entirely sure I understand the distinction between meaning #1 and meaning #2.
4
16 years ago
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マイコー
Level: 300
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.
6
16 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.
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.
1
16 years ago
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マイコー
Level: 300
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!
1
16 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! :)
2
12 years ago
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