Expresses ability or possibility using the nominalizer こと. More formal than the potential verb form; common in written language and formal speech.
[Verb dictionary form] + ことができる / できます
私は日本語を話すことができます。
Watashi wa nihongo wo hanasu koto ga dekimasu.
I am able to speak Japanese.
話すこと (speaking) + ができます (can do)
ここで写真を撮ることはできません。
Koko de shashin wo toru koto wa dekimasen.
You cannot take photos here.
は instead of が = contrast / topic emphasis
一人で歩くことができなくなった。
Hitori de aruku koto ga dekinaku natta.
I became unable to walk alone.
できなく + なった = became unable (change of state)
• ことができる ≈ potential form (話せる, 泳げる). • ことができる emphasizes the ACT; the potential form is more natural in conversation. • Both are correct at N4. • ことができない = cannot; ことができた = was able to (past). • Formal / JLPT contexts prefer ことができる.
The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones ことができる is tested against.
The potential verb is shorter and more natural in speech; ことができる is longer, more formal/written, and puts focus on the act itself.
A noun takes plain できる (日本語ができる); a verb must be nominalized first (話すことができる).
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