Can, can’t – grammar chart

Can, can’t – form

Infinitive without to
We use can + infinitive without to.
 I can swim. (NOT I can to swim.)
 We can’t come. (NOT We can’t to come.)

No -s after he/she/it
We don’t add -s after he/she/it. We use can for all persons.
 He can swim. (NOT He cans swim).

No do/don’t
Can is an auxiliary verb and has a negative and interrogative form. We don’t
use do/don’t to make questions and negatives.
 Can you swim? (NOT Do you can swim?)
 He can’t swim. (NOT He don’t can swim.)
Can, can’t – use
Ability
We use can/can’t to talk about ability in the present (=things that we know how to
do).
 Laura can sing very well.
 I can’t speak German.

Possibility
We use can/can’t to ask for permission or to say if something is possible or not.
 Can I sit here?
 You can’t vote if you aren’t 18 years old.
 I’m sorry but I can’t come to the party.

Ask for something

We use can/can’t to ask for something and to order in bars, restaurants, shops, etc.
 Can you lend me some money?
 Can I have some water, please?
 Can I have a burger and a soda?

EXERCISES
PART I : Complete this job interview with can, can’t and the words in brackets.
1. Interviewer: ______ (you/drive)?
2. Ann: Yes, I ______. I have a driving license and a car.
3. Interviewer: ______ (you/accept) criticism?
4. Ann: I ______ (not accept) negative criticism, but I ______ (accept) constructive criticism.
5. Interviewer: ______ (you/use) the Microsoft Office Suite?
6. Ann: Yes, I ______. I have a lot of experience using Word, Excell, and PowerPoint.
7. Interviewer: ______ (speak) German or French?
8. Ann: I ______ (speak) German very well, but I ______ (not speak) French very fluently.
9. Interviewer: When ______ (you/start)?
10. Ann: I ______ (be) here tomorrow morning if you want.

PART II : Complete the following sentences below witn CAN / CAN’T.

1. I _______ only speak English. I don't know any other languages.
2. What sports _______you play the best?
3. A dog _______be man's best friend, but it can't help with the chores.
4. Narrow-minded people _______see the future very well.
5. Fish _______breathe outside the water.
6. _______you cook?
7. Denis doesn't want to go swimming with us because he _______swim.
8. It's really dark here, I _______see anything
9. You _______park your car here, it's forbidden.
10. I am very hungry I _______eat everything right now.
11. A cheetah _______run very fast.
12. _______you help me?
13. I _______do my homework, it's too difficult.
14. A baby _______drive a car.
15. The letters are very small. I _______read anything.