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Beginner

GRAMMAR

LESSON 17:

Can 1

Goal

I can use can to talk about ability.

Grammar Point

Read the grammar point with your tutor.

Use can to talk about ability.

  • Add can before the dictionary form of the verb.

SENTENCE

CAN SENTENCE

I play the guitar.

I can play the guitar.

He plays the guitar.

He can play the guitar.

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ex

I can do push-ups.

ex

He can run a marathon.

Be careful: Can is a modal verb, so it does not take third-person s.

She cans play the piano.

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She can play the piano.

  • To ask questions about ability, move can before the subject.

SENTENCE

YES/NO QUESTION

You can speak French.

Can you speak French?

He can drive a car.

Can he drive a car?

They can swim.

Can they swim?

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ex

Can she use chopsticks?

ex

Can you say “hello” in Spanish?

  • Use short phrases to positively answer questions about ability.

POSITIVE ANSWERS

Yes, I can.

Yes, you can.

Yes, he can.

Yes, she can.

Yes, it can.

Yes, we can.

Yes, they can.

ex

Q: Can you swim?
A: Yes, I can.

ex

Q: Can he surf?
A: Yes, he can.

  • Use short phrases to negatively answer questions about ability too.

NEGATIVE ANSWERS

No, I can’t.

No, you can’t.

No, he can’t.

No, she can’t.

No, it can’t.

No, we can’t.

No, they can’t.

ex

Q: Can you swim?
A: No, I can’t.

ex

Q: Can he surf?
A: No, he can’t.

  • You can also use wh- words* when you ask about ability.

*for more information on how to form wh-questions, please see Grammar Beginner Lesson 9

SENTENCE

WH- QUESTION

He can bake ???.

What can he bake?

You can play ???.

What instruments can you play?

??? can speak German.

Who can speak German?

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ex

What can you cook?

ex

Who can make an omelet?

  • Use cannot to talk about a lack of ability.

ex

I cannot do push-ups.

ex

He cannot run a marathon.

  • In casual spoken and written English, cannot is usually contracted. Please try to use the contracted form throughout this lesson.

FORMAL ENGLISH

CASUAL ENGLISH

cannot

can’t

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ex

I can’t do push-ups.

ex

He can’t run a marathon.

Sentence Builder

Build new sentences using the grammar point, the original sentences, and the words in parentheses. The form of some words may need to be changed.
Build new sentences using the grammar point, the original sentences, and the words in parentheses. The form of some words may need to be changed.
ex

I can’t swim.

(can)
   I can swim   .
  • Paul can speak Japanese.

(can’t)
                            .
  • My sister can drive a car.

(play the piano)
                            .
  • Can you fly a plane?

(bake a cake)
                            ?
  • We can’t run a marathon.

(do push-ups)
                            .
  • What can you bake?

(make)
                            ?
  • Yes, they can.

(he)
                            .
  • Can she cook?

(your dad)
                            ?
  • I can ride a bike.

(can’t)
                            .
  • No, I can’t.

(yes)
                            .
  • Who can play the guitar?

(speak French)
                            ?

Practice

Make sentences using the grammar point, the words, and the picture clues.

ex

I / bake a pie

I can bake a pie.
ex

I / bake a pie

I can bake a pie.
  • my best friend / surf

  • I / play the piano

  • they / do push-ups

  • who / speak German

  • we / swim

  • you / drive

  • I / fly a plane

  • he / do origami

  • what / she / cook

  • my son / ride a bike

Q&A

PART 1
Answer the questions using the grammar point and your own information.
  • What can you cook?
  • Can you do push-ups?
  • Can your friends speak English?
  • What languages can you speak?
  • In your family, who can drive?
PART 2
Use the grammar point to ask your tutor some questions. You can use the ideas below or your own ideas.
you / surf
what / you / cook
you / speak Japanese
you / drive a car
in your family / who / play the piano
you / bake a cake