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Explanation

Ability/possibility.

없다 for cannot.

Start with “할 수 있어요.” (I can do it.). Say the whole sentence first, then identify exactly what -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 contributes before changing any other words.

Compare “갈 수 없어요.” with “수영할 수 있어요.”. Keep the function of -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 the same while noticing what changes around it; then rebuild one of the examples with vocabulary you already know.

Examples

할 수 있어요.

I can do it.

갈 수 없어요.

I can't go.

수영할 수 있어요.

I can swim.

Common mistakes

  • Do not choose -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 only because an English translation contains “can”. Check the Korean function, attachment, and speech level in the full sentence.
  • Do not memorize -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 as an isolated ending. Mark the stem or phrase it attaches to in one example, then rebuild that example with new vocabulary.

How to practice

  1. Production check: say “할 수 있어요.” naturally, then change one content word without changing the job -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 is doing.
  2. When a related pattern is listed below, compare both forms in the same situation instead of memorizing two English glosses separately.

Related

Core grammar mapMore grammar patternsParticle checker

Keep learning

-는데-잖아요밖에조차마저뿐이다아서/어서 vs (으)니까-고 있어요

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