TECHNOLOGIcal Instititute of Jocotitlan

Name: ____________________________________Class:____ Date:_________

Can - Cannot - Can't

Can is a modal verb

Can is used to express ability or to say that something is possible.

Can is the same for all subjects. We don’t add and “S” in the third person (like other verbs) The verb

that comes after Can is in the infinitive without to:

• I can speak Spanish = ( it is possible for me to speak Spanish = I have the ability to speak

Spanish.

Negative:

To form the negative we add “not” after can to form one word: cannot.

We can also contract the negative to form can’t. (can’t= cannot).

• I cannot play the piano. We can’t go to the cinema tonight.

Questions

To from the questions we change the position of the subject and the auxiliary verb.

The main verb is still in the infinitive without to.

• Where can I buy an ice-cream?

• Can I go to the party, please?
Remember that you can use short answers:

• Can I sit her please? Yes, you can.

• Can you speak Chinese? No, I can’t.

 TECHNOLOGIcal Instititute of Jocotitlan
Name: ____________________________________Class:____ Date:_________
1. Read each sentence carefully and choose either “can” or “can't” for each space to
complete the sentence.

1. The baby is ill, so we _______ come to t he dinner tomorrow night. Sorry.

2. I _____ speak French, but I know how to ask for someone’s name and age.
3. Look, Barry. Is that our house over there? ______ you see it?
4. Maggie, speak a little louder. We ____ hear you at the back of the room.
5. Where’s my phone? I put it on the table and now I _____ fond it!
6. I ____ smell smoke. Is there a fire somewhere?
7. The new manager is Sophie. I _______believe that! She’s terrible.
8. I’m busy on Saturday, Nickie, but we ______ go running the next day if you want.

2. Match the column

a. Yes, she spent two years in Rome.

1. Can he play tennis?
b. I think it’s Steven O’Connell.
2. Can you ski?
c. Yes, there’s plenty of space.
3. Can Julia speak Italian?
d. Yes, he makes fantastic chocolate
4. Can you hear what they’re saying? baked.

e. No, they’re speaking too quietly.

5. Can you remember his name?
f. No, sorry I can’t. I’m busy.
6. Can you make it on Friday?
g. Not very well. I don’t go to the
7. Can he cook? mountains often enough.
h. Yes, he can. We often have a game.
8. Can I park un front of the building?
 TECHNOLOGIcal Instititute of Jocotitlan
Name: ____________________________________Class:____ Date:_________
3. Put the sentence in correct box, if the sentences are requests offer or possibility

REQUESTS OFFERS POSSIBILITY

Can I interrupt you? Can I give you a lift to the station?

Can I take you coat? Can I help you?

Can I use your phone, please? Can you pass me the salt, please?

Can you help me whit this, please? Can they come at ten o’clock?

You can buy stamps in the newsagents. I can see you tomorrow morning.

You can’t fly to New York for less than $4000. Can I get you a cup of coffee?

4. Order the words and put the correct sentence.

1. pen,/borrow/ your/ I/ Can/?

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2. the/ ?/ pass/ you/ Can/ me/water,
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3. hand, / give/me/ ?/a/Can/ you
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4. it/Can/check/again?/ you
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5. again,/ explain/?/Can/ you/that
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6. reservation,/ my/ Can / I /?/ change
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 TECHNOLOGIcal Instititute of Jocotitlan
Name: ____________________________________Class:____ Date:_________