Verb : Can
Can is a modal verb used to express ability, opportunity, permission, request,
and possibility.
Can is a modal verb used to express ability, opportunity, permission, request,
and possibility.
Present Tense
I can
You can
* He/She/It can
They can
We can
(* don’t add an s in the third person)
I can
You can
* He/She/It can
They can
We can
(* don’t add an s in the third person)
Negative/Negative Contraction
I cannot = I can’t
You cannot = You can’t
He/She/It cannot = He/She/It can’t
They cannot = They can’t
We cannot = We can’t
I cannot = I can’t
You cannot = You can’t
He/She/It cannot = He/She/It can’t
They cannot = They can’t
We cannot = We can’t
Can you speak English? (ability)
Yes, I can speak English.
No, I can’t speak English.
No, I cannot speak English
Can you get a new car? (opportunity)
Yes, I can get a new car.
No, I can’t get a new car.
No, I cannot get a new car.
Can I come in? (permission)
Yes, you can come in.
No, you can’t come in.
No, you cannot come in.
Can I have another drink? (request)
Yes, you can have another drink.
No, you can’t have another drink.
No, you cannot have another drink.
Can any person win the lottery? (possibility)
Yes, any person can win the lottery.
No, any person can’t win the lottery. (only those with tickets)
No, any person cannot win the lottery. (only those with tickets)
Yes, I can speak English.
No, I can’t speak English.
No, I cannot speak English
Can you get a new car? (opportunity)
Yes, I can get a new car.
No, I can’t get a new car.
No, I cannot get a new car.
Can I come in? (permission)
Yes, you can come in.
No, you can’t come in.
No, you cannot come in.
Can I have another drink? (request)
Yes, you can have another drink.
No, you can’t have another drink.
No, you cannot have another drink.
Can any person win the lottery? (possibility)
Yes, any person can win the lottery.
No, any person can’t win the lottery. (only those with tickets)
No, any person cannot win the lottery. (only those with tickets)
More Practice with Yes/No Can Questions
Can I go to the movies?
Yes, you can go to the movies.
No, you can’t go the movies.
No, you cannot go to the movies.
Can you tie your shoe?
Yes, I can tie my shoe.
No, I can’t tie my shoe.
No, I cannot tie my shoe.
Can he go to the party?
Yes, he can go to the party.
No, he can’t go to the party.
No, he cannot go to the party.
Can they speak Spanish?
Yes, they can speak Spanish
No, they can’t speak Spanish.
No, they cannot speak Spanish.
Can we have coffee?
* you can refer to more than one person
Yes, you can have coffee.
No, you can’t have coffee.
No, you cannot have coffee.
Can I go to the movies?
Yes, you can go to the movies.
No, you can’t go the movies.
No, you cannot go to the movies.
Can you tie your shoe?
Yes, I can tie my shoe.
No, I can’t tie my shoe.
No, I cannot tie my shoe.
Can he go to the party?
Yes, he can go to the party.
No, he can’t go to the party.
No, he cannot go to the party.
Can they speak Spanish?
Yes, they can speak Spanish
No, they can’t speak Spanish.
No, they cannot speak Spanish.
Can we have coffee?
* you can refer to more than one person
Yes, you can have coffee.
No, you can’t have coffee.
No, you cannot have coffee.
Verb Can Sentence Dictations - On a separate piece of paper number 1-10. Click on the arrow to hear the audio. You will hear each sentence 3 times. Write what you think you hear. Then open the file document to check your sentences.
| verb_can_sentence_dictations.doc |
