Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[sleeper]

Hi, there.

I learned the following lesson in the grammar class today.

The teacher said that there is little difference in meaning between these sentences.

The sentences are:
#1. Can you speak English? / Do you speak English?
#2. Can you understand his words? / Do you understand his words?
#3. Can you eat raw fish? / Do you eat raw fish?

Is what my teacher said really true?

Is there any difference in meaning between 'Can you ...' and 'Do you ...'?

I'm looking forward to your answers.

Thanks.

[Anuradha Chepur]

'Can' indicates ability to do an action. 'Do' indicates action.

Can you speak English? -(means) Do you have the ability to speak English?

Do you speak English? - (means) Is English your mother-tongue? or Do you use English in your day to day life?

If a person can speak English, it doen't necessarily mean he communicates in English, or he speaks English.

Similarly if a person cat eat raw fish, it doesn't imply he eats raw fish.

However I don't see much difference in the pair of sentences in #2. If at all, vaguely I feel "Can you understand his words?" questions the listeners abiliy to understand, while, "Do you understand his words?" might question the speakers ability to be understood or even vice versa. Maybe, my colleagues can throw more light on this.

[hitori2k6]

Sleeper,

As far as questions #1 and #2 are concerned,
there isn't much difference.

However, question #3
Can you eat raw fish? /do you eat raw fish?

I think there's a bit of a difference.

"Can you do....?" This asks if the listener
is able to do something (eat fish).
Can you eat raw fish? A person may be able to,
that doesn't mean they would choose to.

"Do you eat raw fish?" This asks if the
listener is someone who (enjoys) eating
raw fish"

example 1 "Can you eat raw fish?"
"Yes, I can eat it, but I don't like the taste"

example 2 "Do you eat raw fish?"
"Yes, I eat it quite often".

I hope this helps.