This document provides information and exercises about abilities and inabilities expressed using can and can't. It discusses when to use can and can't in affirmative and negative sentences. It also covers interrogative forms using can and short yes/no answers. There are two exercises - the first completes sentences with can and can't and the second writes questions using the modal can with subjects and verbs provided in brackets.

1. ABILITIES &
INABILITIES

2. WHAT CAN SHE DO?
SHE CAN SING

3. WHAT CAN HE DO?
HE CAN RUN

4. WHAT CAN HE DO?
HE CAN SPEAK
ENGLISH.

5. WHAT CAN THEY DO?
THEY CAN DANCE.

6. WHAT CAN THE EAGLE DO?
IT CAN FLY.

7. WHAT CAN THEY DO?
THEY CAN PLAY
VOLLEYBALL.

8. IT’S YOUR TURN
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
I CAN…
WHAT CAN’T YOU DO?
I CAN’T…

9. WHAT IS THE GRAMMAR
TOPIC?
CAN
CAN’T

10. WHEN DO YOU USE CAN AND
WHEN DO YOU USE CAN’T?
We use CAN in We use CAN’T in
affirmative sentences negative sentences
to express abilities. to express inabilities.
CAN and CAN’T are not followed
by “to”. When we use CAN/CAN’T
Example: with “he - she – it” the
You CAN play the piano. (correct) verbs don’t change.
I CAN jump rope. (correct) Example:
She CAN to play the piano. She can play the piano.
(incorrect) He can’t dance salsa.
He CAN’T to fly. (incorrect)

11. HOW MANY FORMS ARE
THERE TO WRITE “CAN” IN
NEGATIVE?
There are 3 forms. The most common is:
CAN’T , but there are two more: CANNOT or
CAN NOT.

12. EXERCISES
I. Complete the sentences with CAN and CAN’T.
CAN CAN’T
1. A cat _______ climb trees, but it _______ fly.
CAN CAN’T
2.You _______ buy stamps at the post office, but you _______ buy shoes there.
CAN’T CAN
3. A fish _______ walk, but it _______ swim.
CAN CAN’T
4. I _______ write with a pen, but I _______ write with a paper clip.
CAN CAN’T
5. A Dog _______ bark, but it _______ sing.
CAN CAN’T
6. Trees _______ produces oxygen, but rocks _______ .
CAN’T CAN
7. I _______ read a book by moonlight, but I _______ read in sunlight.
CAN CAN’T
8. My tiny baby _______ cry, but he _______ talk.
CAN’T CAN
9. Fishes _______ live in air but, they _______ live in the water.
CAN’T CAN
10. You _______ ride on the back of a cat, but you _______ ride on the back of a horse.

13. II. LOOK AT THE BOX AND WRITE SENTENCES.
DIANA LEONARDO
ACTIONS
CAN CAN’T CAN CAN’T
RUN VERY FAST  X
1. SING A SONG X 
2. PLAY GOLF  X
3. SPEAK CHINESE X 
4. READ IN PORTUGUESE  X
5. PAINT A PICTURE X 
6. DANCE MARINERA  X
EXAMPLE: - Diana can run very fast but Leonardo can’t.
1. Diana can’t sing a song but Leonardo can. 4. Diana can read in Portuguese but Leonardo
can’t.
2. Diana can play golf but Leonardo can’t. 5. Diana can’t paint a picture but Leonardo can.
3. Diana can’t speak Chinese but Leonardo 6. Diana can dance marinera but Leonardo
can. can’t.

14. INTERROGATIVE FORM AND SHORT
ANSWERS (+) (-)
HOW DO YOU FORM A QUESTION BY USING
CAN?
MODAL + PRONOUN + VERB + COMPLEMENT + QUESTION
MARK
CAN YOU PLAY THE PIANO ?
YES, I CAN NO, I CAN’T
(AFFIRMATIVE ANSWER) (NEGATIVE ANSWER) CLICK

15. EXERCISES
I. Write questions by using the words in brackets.
EXAMPLE:
CAN SHE PLAY THE GUITAR?
(She, play the guitar)
1. (he,sing a song) CAN HE SING A SONG?
2. (they, speak French) CAN THEY SPEAK FRENCH?
CAN YOU MAKE A CAKE?
3. (you, make a cake)
CAN WE SWIM?
4. (we, swim)
CAN SHE PLAY GOLF?
5. ( she, play golf)
CAN THE BIRD FLY? / CAN IT FLY?
6. ( the bird, fly)

16. http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/
viewgame.asp?id=1518