CAN/CAN'T

CAN AND CAN'T

USE:

We use “CAN” to express


1. Ability

Sarven can ride a bike.
He can speak Japanese.
I can play table tennis.
We can cook.
They can eat with chop sticks.
Paul and Ingrid can ski.


2. Inability

He can’t ride a horse.
I can’t type very fast.
We can’t lift 100 kilos.
Jan can not run fast.
Alicia cannot drive a car.


3. Request

Can you help me?
Can you tell me the way to the museum?
Can you come here a minute please?


4. Permissions

Can I use your cell phone?
Can I take a day off?
Can I smoke here?
Can I go out?

Typical responses: Certainly. Yes, certainly. Of course. Of course you can. Sure (informal) … etc


5. Possibility

The florist can deliver the bouquet early.
My friend can visit me this week

Note: can is not normal used to describe future possibility in the positive form.

INCORRECT: It can rain tomorrow.


6. Inappropriateness

You can’t wear that dress! It is indecent.
You can’t smoke in this building. It is illegal.
You can’t ask for information here. This is not information desk.


EXTRA EXERCISES! 

http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=5479
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/modals/can2.htm
http://www.esl-lounge.com/student/grammar/1g102-elementary-can-cant-exercise.php
http://www.agendaweb.org/verbs/can-exercises.html
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/verbs/modal-verbs/ability-permission-requests-and-advice
http://www.english-grammar-lessons.com/can/menu.php