Can, can’t: Ability, possibility, permission

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Exercise 2

Exercises:1 2 3

Write affirmative (+) and negative (-) sentences usingcan, can’twith the words below.

She / dance / very well. ⇒ She.(+)

I / finish / the composition for tomorrow. ⇒ Ifor tomorrow.(-)

You / park / your car here. ⇒ Youhere.(-)

Jim / come / to the concert with us. ⇒ Jimwith us.(+)

She / meet / you at 7. ⇒ She.(-)

You / use / this app to view documents. ⇒ Youto view documents.(+)

We / lose / this match. ⇒ We.(-)

They / understand / my decision. ⇒ They.(-)

She / stay / at my house tonight. ⇒ Shetonight.(+)

You / see / the sea from the balcony. ⇒ Youfrom the balcony.(-)

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Can, can’t: Grammar chart

Grammar chart displaying the form and use of modal verbs 'can' and 'can't' for expressing ability, permission, and possibility, with correct and incorrect example sentences.

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Can, can’t: Form

Infinitive without to

We use can + infinitive without to.

I can swim.
I can to swim.
We can’t come.
We can’t to come.

Don’t use -s after he/she/it

We don’t add -s after he/she/it. We use can for all persons.

He can swim.
He cans swim.

Don’t use do/don’t

Can is an auxiliary verb and has a negative and interrogative form. We don’t use do/don’t to make questions and negatives.

Can you swim?
Do you can swim?
He can’t swim.
He don’t can swim.

Can, can’t: Use

Ability

We use can/can’t to talk about ability in the present (=things that we know how to do).

Laura can sing very well.
I can’t speak German.

Possibility

We use can/can’t to ask for permission or to say if something is possible or not.

Can I sit here?
You can’t vote if you aren’t 18 years old.
I’m sorry, but I can’t come to the party.

Ask for something

We use can/can’t to ask for something and to order in bars, restaurants, shops, etc.

Can you lend me some money?
Can I have some water, please?
Can I have a burger and a soda?

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