Are you really able to do / Can you really do

[hirashin]

Dear native English speakers,
Do you use (a) and (b) interchangeably?
(a) Can you really play swim?
(b) Are you really able to swim?

Thanks in advance.

Hirashin

 

[Julie.chan]

No, A is incorrect. You can't "play" a verb. "Play" is generally speaking only used for games and instruments (though there is also an old slang expression where it can be used with people).

 

[hirashin]

Oops, I made a mistake again.

How about (a') "Can you really swim"?

 

[Julie.chan]

In that case, the answer for me is yes.

 

[hirashin]

Thanks, Julimaruchan.