Blue Level

Lesson Twenty-Three

can / can’t

singular
plural
I can ______
We can ______
You can ______
You can ______
He can ______
 
She can ______
They can ______
It can ______
 

After the modal verb “can,” the main verb is in the simple form. What’s the simple form? Click here to learn.

I can help you.

She can go to the movies.

They can do many things with their hands.

subject
modal verb
main verb
I
can
help
She
can
go
They
can
do

To make “can” negative, add “not”

can + not = cannot or can’t

singular
plural
I can’t ______
We can’t ______
You can’t ______
You can’t ______
He can’t ______
 
She can’t ______
They can’t ______
It can’t ______
 

I can’t help you.

She can’t go out tonight.

They cannot speak English.

 

examples

A: Can you play the piano?

B: Yes, I can.  or….

B: No, I can’t.

piano

A: Can he cook?

B: Yes, he can.  or….

B: No, he can’t.

man with knife

She’s very talented. She can do many things.

She can speak French. She can play the piano, and she can dance.

ballerina

A: Does she know how to play tennis?

B: Well, she can’t play very well, but she’s still learning.

tennis player

A: What are some of his skills?

B: He can use a chainsaw.

lumberjack

write by hand write!

Directions: Practice writing sentences and questions with “can.” Use the verb in parentheses.

  1. We ________ ________ you later. (meet)
  2. What ________ you ________ for them? (do)
  3. It ________ ________ your life easier. (make)
  4. They ________ ________ their rent. (afford — negative)
  5. Why _______ she _______ on time? (come — negative)

Answers:

1. can meet; 2. can…do; 3. can make; 4. can’t afford; 5. can’t….come