Talking about Ability with can / can't
| I/You/He/She/We/They | can/can't | speak French. |
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Can and can’t are followed by the base form of the verb. Can’t is the short form of cannot. In spoken English, can’t is more common. |
Questions with can / can't
| Yes/No questions | Can you speak Spanish? | Yes, I can. / No, I can't. |
| Wh- questions | Which languages can Carla speak? | (She can speak) Spanish and English. |
| Wh- questions | Who can speak Japanese? | Toshi (can). |
"Can" and "can't" are modal verbs used to express ability, possibility, or permission. "Can" is used to indicate that someone is able to do something, or that something is possible. "Can't" (the contraction of "cannot") is used to indicate inability or impossibility. These verbs help communicate what someone is capable of or allowed to do, as well as what is not possible or permitted.
1. USEFUL EXPRESSIONS:
1.1 Can:
- "Can you swim?" (ability)
- "Can I use your phone?" (permission)
- "Can you help me with this task?" (request for help)
1.2 Can't:
- "I can't drive yet" (inability)
- "You can't park here" (prohibition)
- "She can't come to the party" (lack of possibility)
- "Can you swim?" (ability)
- "Can I use your phone?" (permission)
- "Can you help me with this task?" (request for help)
1.2 Can't:
- "I can't drive yet" (inability)
- "You can't park here" (prohibition)
- "She can't come to the party" (lack of possibility)
2. SENTENCES:
2.1 Can:
- "I can play the piano very well"
- "Can you speak Spanish?"
- "She can finish the project by Friday"
- "We can go to the beach if the weather is nice"
2.2 Can't:
- "I can’t lift that heavy box by myself"
- "You can’t enter the building without an ID badge"
- "He can’t attend the meeting because he is sick"
- "They can’t go on vacation this year due to work commitments"
- "I can play the piano very well"
- "Can you speak Spanish?"
- "She can finish the project by Friday"
- "We can go to the beach if the weather is nice"
2.2 Can't:
- "I can’t lift that heavy box by myself"
- "You can’t enter the building without an ID badge"
- "He can’t attend the meeting because he is sick"
- "They can’t go on vacation this year due to work commitments"
3. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
Q: Can you drive a car?
A: Yes, I can drive a car. I have a driver's license.
Q: Can she play the guitar?
A: No, she can’t play the guitar. She’s never learned how.
Q: Can we bring our pets to the hotel?
A: No, we can’t bring pets to the hotel. It’s against their policy.
Q: Can you help me with my homework?
A: Yes, I can help you with your homework. What do you need help with?
Q: Can he come to the party tonight?
A: No, he can’t come to the party tonight. He has other plans.
A: Yes, I can drive a car. I have a driver's license.
Q: Can she play the guitar?
A: No, she can’t play the guitar. She’s never learned how.
Q: Can we bring our pets to the hotel?
A: No, we can’t bring pets to the hotel. It’s against their policy.
Q: Can you help me with my homework?
A: Yes, I can help you with your homework. What do you need help with?
Q: Can he come to the party tonight?
A: No, he can’t come to the party tonight. He has other plans.
4. CONVERSATION:
Sarah: Hey, Tom! Can you help me move this table?
Tom: Hi, Sarah! Sure, I can help. Where do you want to move it?
Sarah: Just to the other side of the room. Also, can you show me how to set up this new printer?
Tom: Yes, I can show you how to set it up. But I’m afraid I can’t stay for long. I have to leave for a meeting soon.
Sarah: That’s okay, thanks for your help. Can you come back later to help me with the rest of the setup?
Tom: I can’t promise, but I’ll try. I’ll let you know if I can make it.
Tom: Hi, Sarah! Sure, I can help. Where do you want to move it?
Sarah: Just to the other side of the room. Also, can you show me how to set up this new printer?
Tom: Yes, I can show you how to set it up. But I’m afraid I can’t stay for long. I have to leave for a meeting soon.
Sarah: That’s okay, thanks for your help. Can you come back later to help me with the rest of the setup?
Tom: I can’t promise, but I’ll try. I’ll let you know if I can make it.
5. READING:
Understanding "Can" and "Can't"
The modal verbs "can" and "can't" are used to express capability, possibility, and permission. They are essential for communicating what is achievable or permissible.
"Can" is used to express ability or possibility. For example, "I can swim" indicates that the speaker has the ability to swim. Similarly, "Can I borrow your book?" asks for permission to use the book.
"Can't" is used to indicate an inability or impossibility. For example, "I can’t attend the meeting" means the speaker is unable to attend due to some reason. Additionally, "You can’t smoke in this area" indicates a prohibition.
These modal verbs help convey various nuances in everyday conversations, such as whether someone is capable of doing something, whether something is allowed, or whether an action is possible or impossible. Mastery of "can" and "can't" is important for clear and effective communication.
The modal verbs "can" and "can't" are used to express capability, possibility, and permission. They are essential for communicating what is achievable or permissible.
"Can" is used to express ability or possibility. For example, "I can swim" indicates that the speaker has the ability to swim. Similarly, "Can I borrow your book?" asks for permission to use the book.
"Can't" is used to indicate an inability or impossibility. For example, "I can’t attend the meeting" means the speaker is unable to attend due to some reason. Additionally, "You can’t smoke in this area" indicates a prohibition.
These modal verbs help convey various nuances in everyday conversations, such as whether someone is capable of doing something, whether something is allowed, or whether an action is possible or impossible. Mastery of "can" and "can't" is important for clear and effective communication.
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