Expressing Ability: Can, Can't, Cannot
Welcome to the lesson on expressing ability! We use the modal verbs can, can't, and cannot to talk about what someone is or is not able to do. Let's explore the rules with a story and some colorful examples!
A Day at the Park: A Scenario
Leo and Maria are friends who want to spend a day together at the park.
Leo: "Maria, I'm so excited! We can have a great time today. We can play soccer, and then we can have a picnic."
Maria: "That sounds fun! But I can't play soccer very well. My leg is a little sore. But I can bring some tasty sandwiches for the picnic! What about you, Leo? Can you make a cake?"
Leo: "No, I can't make a cake. I cannot bake at all! But I can bring the drinks and some fruit. Can you bring a blanket for us to sit on?"
Maria: "Yes, I can! I'll bring the big red one. I hope your leg gets better soon. Maybe next time we can play tennis!"
1. The Positive Form: "Can"
We use can to express that someone has the ability to do something. For example, Maria said, "I can bring some tasty sandwiches."
Structure:
Subject + can + verb (base form)
2. The Negative Form: "Can't" / "Cannot"
We use can't or cannot to say that someone does not have the ability to do something. For example, Maria said, "But I can't play soccer very well."
Structure:
Subject + can't / cannot + verb (base form)
Note:
Can't is a contraction and is very common in spoken and informal English. Cannot is the full, more formal version.
3. Asking Questions: "Can you...?"
To ask a question about ability, simply put Can at the beginning of the sentence. For example, Maria asked, "Can you make a cake?"
Structure:
Can + subject + verb (base form)?
Short Answers:
- Yes, I can.
- No, I can't.
Summary
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | Subject + can + verb | He can lift heavy boxes. |
| Negative | Subject + can't / cannot + verb | She can't sing. |
| Question | Can + subject + verb? | Can you help me with this? |
Quiz Time!
Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.