Syllabus topic 11: Can / can't — ability, possibility, permission
Can / can't — ability, possibility, permission. Can + base verb expresses ability, possibility or informal permission.
The idea
Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s.
Structure & examples
My brother can swim very well.
I can ride a bike.
Notice the pattern
Can does not change with the subject: I can and she can. Questions begin with can, without do: Can he swim? The full negative is written as one word, cannot; the contraction is can't.
Can you swim well?
She can read this map.
Important notes & common mistakes
Say she can sing, not she can sings.
Before you practice
First choose a form from the options. Then produce it yourself using the word or structure in the instruction. Finally, build complete sentences. Check the explanation after each answer and revisit any mistakes in your review list.
Extended topic: Can / can't — ability, possibility, permission
Can + base verb expresses ability, possibility or informal permission. Use can't for the negative and place can before the subject in questions. Can does not take -s or to. Formal requests may use may, but can is common in everyday speech.
Examples in context
Notice how each form fits its sentence. Read the context before choosing a form.
She can swim very well.
Can I sit here?
I can't drive; I haven't learned.
Can they come? Yes, they can.
We can see the sea from here.
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s.
Ella can ___ beautifully.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: dance
Completed sentence: Ella can dance beautifully. Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s.
___ you open this jar?
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: Can
Completed sentence: Can you open this jar? Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s.
He cannot ___ yet.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: drive
Completed sentence: He cannot drive yet. Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s.
We can ___ after lunch.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: meet
Completed sentence: We can meet after lunch. Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s.
Question 1 of 50% complete
My brother can ___ very well.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: swim
Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: dance
Completed sentence: Ella can dance beautifully. Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Can
Completed sentence: Can you open this jar? Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: drive
Completed sentence: He cannot drive yet. Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: meet
Completed sentence: We can meet after lunch. Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: speak
Completed sentence: Use speak: My aunt can speak Italian. Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: help
Completed sentence: Use help: Can you help us? Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: cannot
Completed sentence: Use not, in one word: A fish cannot walk. Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: play
Completed sentence: Use play: I can play the piano. Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: come
Completed sentence: Use come: They cannot come today. Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: I can ride a bike
Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s. Say she can sing, not she can sings.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Can you swim well
Can you swim well? Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s. Say she can sing, not she can sings.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: She can read this map
She can read this map. Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s. Say she can sing, not she can sings.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: We cannot stay long
We cannot stay long. Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s. Say she can sing, not she can sings.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: I can carry your bag
I can carry your bag. Can describes ability. Follow it with the base verb; do not add to or -s. Say she can sing, not she can sings.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: swim
Completed sentence: She can swim very well. Can + base verb expresses ability, possibility or informal permission. Use can't for the negative and place can before the subject in questions. Can does not take -s or to. Formal requests may use may, but can is common in everyday speech.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Can
Completed sentence: Can I sit here? Can + base verb expresses ability, possibility or informal permission. Use can't for the negative and place can before the subject in questions. Can does not take -s or to. Formal requests may use may, but can is common in everyday speech.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: can't
Completed sentence: I can't drive; I haven't learned. Can + base verb expresses ability, possibility or informal permission. Use can't for the negative and place can before the subject in questions. Can does not take -s or to. Formal requests may use may, but can is common in everyday speech.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: can
Completed sentence: Can they come? Yes, they can. Can + base verb expresses ability, possibility or informal permission. Use can't for the negative and place can before the subject in questions. Can does not take -s or to. Formal requests may use may, but can is common in everyday speech.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: can
Completed sentence: We can see the sea from here. Can + base verb expresses ability, possibility or informal permission. Use can't for the negative and place can before the subject in questions. Can does not take -s or to. Formal requests may use may, but can is common in everyday speech.
Keep learning
Choose your next small step
Continue this topic or practice every English skill at the same level.
