Modal Can – Can’t

Hello everybody!
Today we are going to talk about talents and abilities.
Let me ask you:
What can you do? Can you play soccer?

In English, we use the modal Can to express talent or abilities.

For example:
 I can speak English very well.
 Mike and Mary can dance salsa.
 My little sister can play the guitar.

Structure

We use the modal can or can’t depending on the kind of sentence.

 Affirmative Sentences:
In affirmative sentences, we use Subject plus can plus the verb in simple form plus
the complement. 

Examples:
 Spiderman can climb buildings.
 Every time I have homework, I use my computer. I can always find information on
the internet.

 Negative Sentences:
In negative sentences we use Subject plus can’t plus the verb in simple
form plus complement.

Examples:
 Spiderman can’t turn invisible.
 My grandmother can’t use a laptop, so she can’t go on Google. I think I have to
help her a lot.

Now let’s look at the questions:

 Yes / No Questions and Answers:

In yes - no questions we use Can plus Subject plus the verb in simple
form plus complement plus the question mark.

Examples:
 Can Spiderman shoot spider webs from wrists?
 o “Yes, he can” if the answer is affirmative.
o “No, he can’t” if the answer is negative.
 Can you connect to your classes on Zoom?
o Yes, I can. But sometimes I can’t when internet connection is poor.

 Wh-Questions and Answers:

In WH-questions we use WH word plus can plus Subject plus the verb in simple
form plus complement plus the question mark.

Examples:
 What can Spiderman do very fast?
o He can get dressed very fast.

 What can you do with technology?

o I can communicate via social media.
o I can go on the internet.
o I can use GPS.
o I can play video games too.
o But I can’t install devices.

That’s all for today. See you next time!