2. “can” is used to indicate the ability to do
something. It is used with a verb in the
infinitive form:
I can play the piano.
Lily can ride a bike.
The students can play chess.
The teacher can speak Spanish.
3. To make a question, switch the order of
“can” and its subject:
Can you play the piano?
Can Bryan ride a bike?
Can they play checkers?
4. To negate, put “not” between “can” and its
verb: “can not”, which is written as one word
==> “cannot”
I cannot lift this heavy suitcase.
They cannot come because of bad weather.
The teacher cannot speak Chinese.
Note: Cannot us usually contracted, so we have:
I can’t lift this heavy suitcase.
They can’t come because of bad weather.
The teacher can’t speak Chinese.
5. To talk about ability in past. We use
could or couldn’t.
The neighbors were noisy, so I couldn’t
sleep at all last night.
James could eat a whole pizza when he was
a teenager.
They could stay up all night when they
were in college.
7. Sometimes “can” / “can’t” is used for
permission rather than ability:
You can’t use your cell phone in the library.
Alex can’t come to the party. Lily won’t let
him.
You can use your cell phones, but only
when the teacher says it is OK.
8. When asking permission, “could” is a
more polite form to use than “can”:
Can I have a drink of water? ==> Could I have a
drink of water? Could is more polite.
Can my friend sit here? ==> Could my friend sit
here? Could is more polite.
Can you open the window? ==> Could you open
the window? Could is more polite.
9. Now, practice!
Go to www.teacherluisvega.com
Beg. Grammar
Can and Could Practice.
