Lesson Twenty-Three
can / can’t
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singular
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plural
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I can ______
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We can ______
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You can ______
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You can ______
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He can ______
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She can ______
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They can ______
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It can ______
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After the modal verb “can,” the main verb is in the simple form. What’s the simple form? Click here to learn.
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I can help you.
She can go to the movies.
They can do many things with their hands.
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subject
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modal verb
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main verb
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I
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can
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help
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She
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can
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go
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They
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can
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do
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To make “can” negative, add “not”
can + not = cannot or can’t
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singular
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plural
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I can’t ______
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We can’t ______
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You can’t ______
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You can’t ______
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He can’t ______
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She can’t ______
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They can’t ______
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It can’t ______
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I can’t help you.
She can’t go out tonight.
They cannot speak English.
examples
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A: Can you play the piano?
B: Yes, I can. or….
B: No, I can’t.
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A: Can he cook?
B: Yes, he can. or….
B: No, he can’t.
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She’s very talented. She can do many things.
She can speak French. She can play the piano, and she can dance.
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A: Does she know how to play tennis?
B: Well, she can’t play very well, but she’s still learning.
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A: What are some of his skills?
B: He can use a chainsaw.
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  write!
Directions: Practice writing sentences and questions with “can.” Use the verb in parentheses.
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We ________ ________ you later. (meet)
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What ________ you ________ for them? (do)
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It ________ ________ your life easier. (make)
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They ________ ________ their rent. (afford — negative)
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Why _______ she _______ on time? (come — negative)
Answers:
1. can meet; 2. can…do; 3. can make; 4. can’t afford; 5. can’t….come
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