CAN AND CAN’T
We use CAN to say what we are able to do, and CAN’T to say what we are not able to do.
1. AFFIRMATIVE FORM
Structure:
Subject + CAN + verb
Examples:
I can swim.You can play soccer.
He can ride a bike.
She can dance.
It can fly.
We can travel.
They can sing.
2. NEGATIVE FORM
Structure:
Subject + CAN’T + verb
Examples:
I can’t swim.You can’t play soccer.
He can’t ride a bike.
She can’t dance.
It can’t fly.
We can’t travel.
They can’t sing.
3. INTERROGATIVE FORM
Structure:
CAN + subject + verb + ?
Examples:
Can I swim?Can you play soccer?
Can he ride a bike?
Can she dance?
Can it fly?
Can we travel?
Can they sing?
4. SHORT ANSWERS
AFFIRMATIVE ANSWERS
Yes, I can.Yes, you can.
Yes, he can.
Yes, she can.
Yes, it can.
Yes, we can.
Yes, they can.
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.
5. COMMON USES
I can swim.He can play soccer.
She can listen to music.
We can read.
6. USEFUL VOCABULARY
English | Spanish |
|---|---|
Swim | Nadar |
Play soccer | Jugar fútbol |
Ride a bike | Montar bicicleta |
Dance | Bailar |
Fly | Volar |
Travel | Viajar |
Sing | Cantar |
Read | Leer |
Use a computer | Usar un computador |
Draw | Dibujar |
Cook | Cocinar |
Build a house | Construir una casa |
7. REMEMBER!
CAN is used for all subjects.CAN’T means "cannot".
We add -n’t to make the negative.
The verb always stays in its base form.
IMPORTANT:
We do NOT add -s, -es, or -ing to the verb after CAN or CAN’T.
Examples:
She can dance. (Correct)She can dances. (Incorrect)
He can swim. (Correct)
He can swimming. (Incorrect)
