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Use of Can

The document discusses the modal verb "can" and how it is used to express ability, opportunity, permission, and possibility or impossibility. It provides examples of "can" being used in the present, past, and future tense for general ability, ability during a specific event, opportunity, permission, requests, and possibility or impossibility. A table outlines how "can" changes form in the positive and negative and between the present, past, and future. The document concludes with practice questions to fill in blanks with either "can" or "can't".

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René Ramos
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101 views3 pages

Use of Can

The document discusses the modal verb "can" and how it is used to express ability, opportunity, permission, and possibility or impossibility. It provides examples of "can" being used in the present, past, and future tense for general ability, ability during a specific event, opportunity, permission, requests, and possibility or impossibility. A table outlines how "can" changes form in the positive and negative and between the present, past, and future. The document concludes with practice questions to fill in blanks with either "can" or "can't".

Uploaded by

René Ramos
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Can

"Can" is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English. It can be used to express ability or
opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or impossibility.
Examples:
I can ride a horse. ABILITY
We can stay with my brother when we are in Paris. OPPORTUNITY
She cannot stay out after 10 PM. PERMISSION
Can you hand me the stapler? REQUEST
Any child can grow up to be president. POSSIBILITY
Using "Can" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn
how "can" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Use Positive Forms Negative Forms You can also


1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = 1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = use:
Future Future

can  1. I can speak Chinese. 1. I can't speak Swahili. be able to


GENERAL ABILITY 2. SHIFT TO "COULD"  2. SHIFT TO "COULD" 
I could speak Chinese when I I couldn't speak Swahili.
was a kid. 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" 
3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"  I won't be able to speak
I will be able to speak Swahili.
Chinese by the time I finish
my course.

can  1. With a burst of adrenaline, 1. Even with a burst of be able to


ABILITY DURING people can pick up cars. adrenaline, people can't pick
A SPECIFIC EVENT 2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"  up something that heavy.
With a sudden burst of 2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" 
adrenaline, he was able to Even the weight lifter,
lift the car off the child's leg. couldn't lift the car off the
3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"  child's leg.
With a sudden burst of 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" 
adrenaline, he will be able to Even three men working
lift the car. together won't be able to lift
the car.

can  1. I have some free time. I 1. I don't have any time. I be able to
OPPORTUNITY can help her now. can't help her  now.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"  2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" 
I had some free time I didn't have time yesterday.
yesterday. I was able to help I wasn't able to help her at
her at that time. that time.
3. I'll have some free time 3. I won't have any time
tomorrow. I can help her later. I can't help her then.
then.

can  1. I can drive Susan's car 1. I can't drive Susan's car may
PERMISSION when she is out of town. when she is out of town.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED 2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED
TO "  TO " 
I was allowed to drive I wasn't allowed to drive
Susan's car while she was Susan's car while she was
out of town last week. out of town last week.
3. I can drive Susan's car 3. I can't drive Susan's car
while she is out of town next while she is out of town next
week. week.

can  Can I have a glass of water? Can't I have a glass of water? could, may
REQUEST Can you give me a lift to Can't you give me a lift to
school? school?
REQUESTS USUALLY REFER TO THE REQUESTS USUALLY REFER TO THE
NEAR FUTURE. NEAR FUTURE.

can  Anyone can become rich and It can't cost more than a could
POSSIBILITY, famous if they know the dollar or two.
IMPOSSIBILITY right people. You can't be 45! I thought
Learning a language can be a you were about 18 years old.
real challenge. THIS USE IS USUALLY A
THIS USE IS USUALLY A GENERALIZATION OR A
GENERALIZATION OR A SUPPOSITION.
SUPPOSITION.

Fill in the blanks with can or can't and then check your answers below.

1. The boy ____ run because his leg is broken.


2. She ____ go to the store after lunch. Let's eat.
3. ____ you get the door for me please? My hands are full.
4. They ____ be happily married because they are always fighting.
5. That boy ____ have written this essay. He doesn't have the skills.
6. We ____ go to the movies tomorrow night. Let's stay in tonight.
7. Mom, ___ I watch the football match on TV?
8. Can I go to Steve's tonight after dinner? No, you ____.
9. He's a smart boy. He ____ do multiplication tables and he's only 5.
10. You ____ be serious. There's no way we will finish by then!

Complete con can o can't.

1. Where ____ I see a good rock concert?

2. Can Lisa speak French?


No, she _______ .

3. What _____ you do?

4. Can Lucy drive?


Yes, she _______ .

5. Where _____ I buy a new camera?

6.______ you read in Portuguese?


Yes, I can.

7. Can I invite my friends?


Yes, they _____ come.

8.____ you help me, please?

9. ____ you play the piano?


10. I _____ find my keys. Where are they?

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