Essential Japanese Grammar by Masahiro Tanimori & Eriko Sato

Author:Masahiro Tanimori & Eriko Sato
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 9781462910090
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

koto ga dekiru ことができる [PREDICATIVE PHRASE]

can (do), to be able to (do)

Koto ga dekiru consists of koto (nominalizer), ga (subject particle), and dekiru (verb) and expresses one’s potential, meaning ‘to be able to do such and such.’ (→ See koto and dekiru.) Koto ga dekiru directly follows verbs in the dictionary form. A simpler way of expressing one’s potential is to use verbs in the potential form. (→ See Potential form under Verbs.)

1. After verbs in the dictionary form

午後三時までに来ることができますか。

Gogo san ji made ni ku ru koto ga dekimasu ka.

Are you able to come by 3 p.m.?

私はあまり漢字を書くことができません。

Watashi wa amari kanji o kak u koto ga dekimasen.

I cannot write many Chinese characters.

飛行機の予約を取ることができました。

Hikōki no yoyaku o tor u koto ga dekimashita.

I was able to make a plane reservation.

2. After verbs in the nai-form

秘密を漏らさないことができますか。

Himitsu o morasa nai koto ga dekimasu ka.

Can you keep (from letting out) a secret?

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