CAN & CAN’TAbility, permission, possibility & requests.

MEANING 1

I CAN: I know how to.I CAN’T: I don’t know how to.

CAN & CAN’T

ABILITY / PERMISSION

Michael Phelps can swim very well.

She can ride a bike.

The babies can’t walk.

He can’t run 10 km.

Can cats speak?No, they can’t.

MEANING 2

I CAN: It’s possible for me.

I CAN’T: It’s not possible for me.

I can go shopping with you on Tuesday, but I can’t on Saturday.

MEANING 3

YOU CAN: It’s OK, it’s permitted.

YOU CAN’T: It’s not OK, it’s not permitted.

You can’t park there!

You can smoke in this restaurant.

MEANING 4

CAN YOU…?: Please do it.

CAN I…?: Is it OK if I do it?.

Can you close the door?

Can I sit down?

• CAN & CAN’T don’t change (I, You, He, She, etc)

• He cans: INCORRRECT

• CAN’T = CANNOT

• CAN & CAN’T + INFINITIVE: I can swim

I can to swim: INCORRECT

I / You / swim. I / You / swim.He / She / It / can come. He / She / It / can’t come.We / They help. We / They help.

+ -FORMATION