cann't vs don't

Question

My American colleague was trying to recollect the reason for implementing a functionality and he coudn't.
He said in that context, " I can't remember."

What is the difference between "I can't remember" and "I don't remember"? Why didn't he use "I don't remember" in this context?

Please clarify.

Thanks,

Ravi

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

"I can't remember" literally means "I am not able to remember". It can mean that I have thought, and tried to remember, but that memory just does not come to mind.

"I don't remember" is the simplest way to phrase the negative statement. It does not mean that I've made any effort to recall something.
However, I often use these two interchangably....

CalifJim · Answer

"can is very commonly used with private verbs, especially verbs of sensation ... [with] very little sense of ability .... can is also used with other types of private verbs, eg those of a conceptual kind, remember, understand, with minimal sense of ability...."
F. R. Palmer, The English Verb
____
Examples:
I can smell something burning.
I can see a tower in the distance.
Can you hear me now?
I can't remember what he said.
I can't understand what he's saying.
For all practical purposes, these are equivalent to the following:
I smell something burning.
I see a tower in the distance.
Do you hear me now?
I don't remember what he said.
I don't understand what he's saying.
____
These idiomatic, vacuous uses of can and can't should not be confused with the meaningful uses where can does refer to ability:
Susan's eyes are quite acute. She can see the tiniest details.
CJ

Ravikumarkargam · Answer

Thanks a bunch for the detailed clarifications. You seem to have too outstanding knowledge on English language.
Thanks for being there for people like me.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

CJ, Very true -
I suppose that's why I use these interchangeably without thinking about it. But more often, when I have tried to hard to remember something, I use the auxilliary "can" - I can't remember.
Sometimes, though, like you point out, the distinction is deliberate. dear friend of mine is afflicted with Alzheimer’s. She cannot remember things that happened only an hour ago. It is also true that she doesn't remember these things, but it is because she no longer has the ability.

cann't vs don't

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