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Welcome to “Can” and “Can’t”!
Today, we learn about “can” and “can’t.” These words help us say what we know how to do, what might happen, and what we’re allowed to do. You’ll learn to use them in many ways. Let’s start and make talking in English easier!
PS, read the objective for this lesson below and notice the formula on each table!
can / can’t the usage
OBJECTIVE FOR THIS LESSON
Welcome to our Talent Show unit! In this unit, you will learn how to talk about things you can do using “can” and “can’t.” You’ll tell us about your talents, like singing, dancing, or painting. We’ll practice speaking, writing, listening, and reading about talent shows. You’ll also learn about talent shows in the U.S. Our goal is to use English to share what we can do and understand talent shows better. Let’s have fun and learn together!
Click here for ACTION VERBS
Functions
1. Ability:
- “Can” is used to talk about someone’s skill or general abilities.
- “Can’t” expresses lack of ability.
Examples:
- “I can speak three languages.” (Ability)
- “She can’t drive a car.” (Lack of ability)
| Formula | Subject | Ability Lack of Ability | Verb | Complement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | I | can | swim | very fast. |
| 2. | She | can | play | the guitar beautifully. |
| 3. | He | can’t | cook | at all. |
| 4. | We | can | speak | Spanish and English. |
| 5. | They | can’t | solve | the math problem. |
| 6. | You | can | ride | a bicycle, right? |
| 7. | My brother | can’t | remember | people’s names easily. |
| 8. | She | can | dance | for hours without getting tired. |
| 9. | They | can’t | lift | that heavy box by themselves. |
| 10 | I | can | draw | portraits and landscapes. |
can / can’t the usage
2. Possibility:
- “Can” indicates that something is possible or could happen.
- “Can’t” suggests that something is impossible or very unlikely.
Examples:
- “We can see the stars tonight.” (Possibility)
- “You can’t be serious!” (Impossibility)
| Formula | Subject | Possibility Impossibility | Verb | Complement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | It | can | rain | in the afternoon, so take an umbrella. |
| 2. | You | can | find | some great deals if you shop online. |
| 3. | He | can’t | come | to the party tonight; he’s out of town |
| 4. | We | can | see | the northern lights if we go to Iceland. |
| 5. | She | can’t | be | at the office today; her car broke down. |
| 6. | You | can | catch | the next train if you hurry. |
| 7. | They | can’t | finish | the project by tomorrow; it’s too much work. |
| 8. | I | can | meet | you for coffee next week. |
| 9. | We | can’t | see | the stars tonight; it’s too cloudy. |
| 10. | You | can | learn | a new language if you practice every day. |
3. Permission:
- “Can” indicates that something is possible or could happen.
- “Can’t” suggests that something is impossible or very unlikely.
Examples:
- “Can I leave early today?” (Asking for permission)
- “You can’t park here.” (Prohibition)
| Order | Subject | Permission Prohibition | Verb | Complement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | You | can | take | a break whenever you need one. |
| 2. | Visitors | can’t | touch | the artwork in the museum. |
| 3. | You | can | access | the library during opening hours. |
| 4. | Children | can’t | play | in the kitchen for safety reasons. |
| 5. | Employees | can | use | the gym after work hours. |
| 6. | You | can’t | park | your car in the reserved spots. |
| 7. | Guests | can | stay | until 10 PM. |
| 8. | You | can’t | download | files from unknown websites on company computers. |
| 9. | Members | can | use | the club facilities at their convenience. |
| 10. | You | can’t | bring | outside food into the cafeteria. |
