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CEFR A1Recommended grades: 3–5

Can / Can't (Ability)

01 · Quick explanation

We use can to say what we are able to do, and can't (cannot) to say what we are not able to do: I can swim. She can't ride a bike.

02 · Full explanation

Can is a modal verb used to talk about ability and possibility. It is the same for all subjects (I can, you can, he can) and is followed by the base form of the verb without to: She can play the piano. The negative is can't or cannot, and questions are formed by putting can before the subject: Can you swim?

Saying what someone is able to doSaying what someone is not able to doAsking about abilitiesAsking for or giving permission

03 · Formula

+Subject + can + base verb
−Subject + can't / cannot + base verb
?Can + subject + base verb?

04 · Affirmative

+ Subject + can + base verb

  • I can swim.
  • They can speak English well.

05 · Negative

− Subject + can't / cannot + base verb

  • He can't ride a bike.
  • We cannot come to the party.

06 · Question

? Can + subject + base verb?

  • Can you play chess?
  • Can she sing well?

07 · Examples

  • ENI can swim very well.

    KZМен өте жақсы жүзе аламын.

    RUЯ очень хорошо умею плавать.

  • ENShe can play the piano.

    KZОл пианинода ойнай алады.

    RUОна умеет играть на пианино.

  • ENHe can't ride a bike yet.

    KZОл әлі велосипед айдай алмайды.

    RUОн пока не умеет кататься на велосипеде.

  • ENWe can speak a little French.

    KZБіз аздап француз тілінде сөйлей аламыз.

    RUМы умеем немного говорить по-французски.

  • ENThey can't come to school today.

    KZОлар бүгін мектепке келе алмайды.

    RUОни не могут прийти в школу сегодня.

  • ENCan you draw a cat?

    KZСен мысық сала аласың ба?

    RUТы умеешь рисовать кошку?

  • ENMy dog can jump very high.

    KZМенің итім өте биік секіре алады.

    RUМоя собака умеет прыгать очень высоко.

  • ENCan your sister cook dinner?

    KZСенің қарындасың кешкі ас дайындай ала ма?

    RUТвоя сестра умеет готовить ужин?

  • ENI can't run as fast as you.

    KZМен сенше тез жүгіре алмаймын.

    RUЯ не умею бегать так быстро, как ты.

  • ENCan I open the window, please?

    KZТерезені аша алам ба?

    RUМожно мне открыть окно, пожалуйста?

08 · Signal words

abilitybe able towellyetevery day

09 · Common mistakes

  • ✗ She can to swim.

    ✓ She can swim.

    Never use to after can.

  • ✗ He cans play football.

    ✓ He can play football.

    Can never adds -s, even with he/she/it.

  • ✗ I don't can swim.

    ✓ I can't swim.

    Form the negative with can't, not don't can.

10 · Compare with similar grammar

Can vs Can't

Can shows ability or possibility — something you are able to do. Can't (cannot) shows the opposite — something you are not able to do.

I can swim.

I can't dive.

She can sing.

She can't dance.

11 · Interactive exercises

Answer each task and press Check. Type answers in English.

0 / 10 · 0 checked

  1. 1. Choose the correct answer:

    I ___ swim very well.

  2. 2. Choose the correct answer:

    ___ you play the guitar?

  3. 3. Choose the correct answer:

    He ___ ride a bike yet.

  4. 4. Fill in the gap:

    My brother ___ (can / swim) in the deep pool.

  5. 5. Fill in the gap:

    We ___ (can / not / come) to the party tonight.

  6. 6. Fill in the gap:

    ___ (can / she / play) chess?

  7. 7. Fill in the gap:

    They ___ (can / speak) three languages.

  8. 8. Correct the sentence:

    She can to dance very well.

  9. 9. Correct the sentence:

    He cans speak English.

  10. 10. Correct the sentence:

    I don't can play football today.

12 · Mini test

Question 1 / 5

Which sentence is correct?

13 · Practice

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