MODAL VERBS: CAN & CAN'T

MODAL VERBS: CAN & CAN'T

by Natasha Azani

What is "can" & "can't"?​

Can and Can't are modal verb (auxiliary verb)​

How do we use it?​

• We use can and can't to talk about our abilities.

• We use can to express what we CAN DO and we use can't to express what we CANNOT DO.

REMEMBER...!!​

The verb that comes after can is a 'root verb'.

​can + root verb

FOR EXAMPLE:

She can come tomorrow.

Adib can borrow the bicycle.

• *here, the verb 'come' and 'borrow' is the root verb (kata kerja asal).

Please note:

​correct:

He can speak English.

Wrong:

He can speaks English. [no s]

He can to speak English. [ no TO]​

Remember this as well...​

The form of can/ can't can be used for both singular and plural subjects.

Examples:

-Daniel can now ride a bicycle.

-We can meet Mrs. Raju later.​

​* Daniel is SN; We is PN

For example:

​I can swim well.

​They can play football.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence based on the picture.

What can Anny do?

• Anny can ride a bike.

• Anny can't ride a bike.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence based on the picture.

What can Lucy do?

• She can dance.

• She cannot dance.

We use CANNOT or CAN'T as a negative to show that we do not agree with the statement.​

For Negative:

Can + not + root verb

examples:

-She cannot believe Sabrina's lies.

-Amarinda can't decide on which dress to wear​.

​* can't is the short form of cannot

​For example:

My little brother can't play the piano

​She can't dance well.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence based on the picture.

What can't Anny do?

• She can skate.

• She can't skate.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence based on the picture.

What can't Luis do?

• He can climb.

• He can't climb.

Question:

To form a question, we change the position of the subject and the auxiliary verb (can/can't)​

Can/Can't + Subject + root verb + ?​

​Positive statement:

​She can sing.

​Question:

​Can she sing?

​For Example:

Q- Can She play a guitar?

+A:​ Yes, she can.

​Q- Can your uncle cook?

-A: ​No, he can't (cannot).

Multiple Choice

Do you remember?

"We use can or can't + a verb in the base form when we talk about..."

• ability

• habits

Multiple Choice

Do you remember?

"The form of can is ____ with singular and plural subjects"

• the same

• different

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct answer:

"He obviously _____ cook"

• can

• can't

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct answer:

"Dolphins ______ as high as thirty feet in the air"

• can jump

• can't jump

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct picture.

Sandra can't whistle, but she can dance very well.

Multiple Choice

Michael can't play soccer, but he can swim very well.

Multiple Choice

Adrian and Jenny can play the piano and the violin very well.