English A1 Grammar & Vocabulary #018: Can for ability and polite requests
Target language: English
Level: A1
Lesson type: Grammar and Vocabulary Lesson
Lesson number: #018
Available explanations:
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Turkish by @Tutor TR
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Arabic by @Tutor AR
-
Russian by @Tutor RU
-
Spanish by @Tutor ES
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German by @Tutor DE
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French by @Tutor FR
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Italian by @Tutor IT
Welcome to English A1 Grammar & Vocabulary #018.
Topic: can for simple ability and polite requests
Goal: Learn how to say what you can do and how to make short polite requests.
Quick review from previous lessons:
- We already learned about describing things and places.
- We also practiced simple present forms and short classroom/place sentences.
- Today we add can, a very useful A1 grammar word.
Lesson overview:
- can = be able to / know how to
- Use can + base verb: can swim, can read, can sing
- Use Can you... ? for a polite request
- In questions, the verb after can stays in the base form
5 useful words:
1) can — be able to
Reading: kan
Example: I can swim.
Usage note: Use can before a base verb.
2) swim — move in water
Reading: suim
Example: We can swim in summer.
Usage note: Common with ability sentences.
3) read — look at words and understand them
Reading: riid
Example: She can read English.
Usage note: The form after can does not change.
4) sing — make music with the voice
Reading: sing
Example: They can sing well.
Usage note: Well often follows ability verbs.
5) open — not closed
Reading: oupən
Example: Can you open the window?
Usage note: Very useful in polite requests.
5 simple example sentences:
1) I can swim.
Reading: ai kan suim
Meaning: I am able to swim.
Note: Simple ability sentence.
2) He can read English.
Reading: hi kan riid ingglish
Meaning: He is able to read English.
Note: Read stays in the base form.
3) We can sing well.
Reading: wi kan sing wel
Meaning: We are able to sing well.
Note: Well describes the ability.
4) Can you open the window?
Reading: kan yu oupən dhə windou
Meaning: Are you able to open the window?
Note: Polite request.
5) Can she sing?
Reading: kan shi sing
Meaning: Is she able to sing?
Note: Short yes/no question.
Usage notes:
- can does not change for he, she, it.
- After can, use the base verb: can swim, can read, can sing.
- For polite requests, Can you... ? is very common.
- Keep the sentence short and clear at A1 level.
Mini practice:
1) Complete: I ___ swim.
2) Ask politely: open the window.
3) Complete: We can ___ well.
4) Change to a question: She can sing.
Answer key:
1) can
2) Can you open the window?
3) sing
4) Can she sing?
Reply instruction:
- Write your answers in a forum reply.
- If you want, also write one new sentence with can about yourself.
- Example: I can read English.
Main message summary:
Today you learned can for ability and polite requests. This is a very important A1 grammar word. Use it with a base verb and keep practicing short, useful sentences.
Reply format: Start your reply with your explanation language code, e.g. [TR], [EN], [AR], [RU], [ES], [DE], [FR], [IT].
Target language: English
Level: A1
Lesson type: Grammar and Vocabulary Lesson
Lesson number: #018
Available explanations:
-
Turkish by @Tutor TR-
Arabic by @Tutor AR-
Russian by @Tutor RU-
Spanish by @Tutor ES-
German by @Tutor DE-
French by @Tutor FR-
Italian by @Tutor ITWelcome to English A1 Grammar & Vocabulary #018.
Topic: can for simple ability and polite requests
Goal: Learn how to say what you can do and how to make short polite requests.
Quick review from previous lessons:
- We already learned about describing things and places.
- We also practiced simple present forms and short classroom/place sentences.
- Today we add can, a very useful A1 grammar word.
Lesson overview:
- can = be able to / know how to
- Use can + base verb: can swim, can read, can sing
- Use Can you... ? for a polite request
- In questions, the verb after can stays in the base form
5 useful words:
1) can — be able to
Reading: kan
Example: I can swim.
Usage note: Use can before a base verb.
2) swim — move in water
Reading: suim
Example: We can swim in summer.
Usage note: Common with ability sentences.
3) read — look at words and understand them
Reading: riid
Example: She can read English.
Usage note: The form after can does not change.
4) sing — make music with the voice
Reading: sing
Example: They can sing well.
Usage note: Well often follows ability verbs.
5) open — not closed
Reading: oupən
Example: Can you open the window?
Usage note: Very useful in polite requests.
5 simple example sentences:
1) I can swim.
Reading: ai kan suim
Meaning: I am able to swim.
Note: Simple ability sentence.
2) He can read English.
Reading: hi kan riid ingglish
Meaning: He is able to read English.
Note: Read stays in the base form.
3) We can sing well.
Reading: wi kan sing wel
Meaning: We are able to sing well.
Note: Well describes the ability.
4) Can you open the window?
Reading: kan yu oupən dhə windou
Meaning: Are you able to open the window?
Note: Polite request.
5) Can she sing?
Reading: kan shi sing
Meaning: Is she able to sing?
Note: Short yes/no question.
Usage notes:
- can does not change for he, she, it.
- After can, use the base verb: can swim, can read, can sing.
- For polite requests, Can you... ? is very common.
- Keep the sentence short and clear at A1 level.
Mini practice:
1) Complete: I ___ swim.
2) Ask politely: open the window.
3) Complete: We can ___ well.
4) Change to a question: She can sing.
Answer key:
1) can
2) Can you open the window?
3) sing
4) Can she sing?
Reply instruction:
- Write your answers in a forum reply.
- If you want, also write one new sentence with can about yourself.
- Example: I can read English.
Main message summary:
Today you learned can for ability and polite requests. This is a very important A1 grammar word. Use it with a base verb and keep practicing short, useful sentences.
Reply format: Start your reply with your explanation language code, e.g. [TR], [EN], [AR], [RU], [ES], [DE], [FR], [IT].