Learn Russian: Ты умеешь плавать?

Уметь means "to know how to do something" as a learned skill. Знать is for knowing facts or information (like Я знаю это — I know this). Мочь means having the physical ability, permission, or opportunity in a specific moment (like Ты можешь плавать сегодня? — Can you swim today?).

Why isn't there a word for "how to" in the Russian sentence?

In Russian, the verb уметь translates directly to "to know how to do a skill." It connects directly to an infinitive without needing a linking phrase like как (how). Saying Ты умеешь как плавать? is a common direct translation mistake for English speakers and is grammatically incorrect in Russian.

Why is the verb плавать used instead of плыть?

Плавать is a multidirectional (or abstract) verb of motion, while плыть is unidirectional (moving in one specific direction). When you talk about the general ability or skill of swimming, you always use the multidirectional verb плавать. You would use a form of плыть if you were talking about a specific instance of swimming toward a destination.

How does this sentence differ from the independent infinitive clauses of inevitability or impossibility we are currently learning?