“I can do X” seems to be short for “If I wanted to do X, I would do X.” It’s a hidden conditional. The ambiguity is the underspecified time. I can do X—when? Right now? After a few months of training?
Q. “Can you play the violin at my wedding next year?”
A. “Sure.”
Colloquial language would imply not only am I willing and able to do this, I already know how to play the violin. Sometimes, what I want to answer is that I don’t know how to play the violin, I’m willing to learn, but you should know I currently don’t know.
“I can do X” seems to be short for “If I wanted to do X, I would do X.” It’s a hidden conditional. The ambiguity is the underspecified time. I can do X—when? Right now? After a few months of training?
Q. “Can you hold the door?” A. “Sure.”
That’s straightforward.
Q. “Can you play the violin at my wedding next year?” A. “Sure.”
Colloquial language would imply not only am I willing and able to do this, I already know how to play the violin. Sometimes, what I want to answer is that I don’t know how to play the violin, I’m willing to learn, but you should know I currently don’t know.
Which I can say, it just takes more words.