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Welcome to “Can” and “Can’t”!
Today:
CAN / CAN’T
Use can = ability
Use can’t = no ability
Formula:
Subject + can + verb
Subject + can’t + verb
Examples:
I can swim.
I can speak English.
I can’t drive.
I can’t cook.
Click here for ACTION VERBS
can / can’t the usage
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. |
