English A1 Grammar & Vocabulary #081: can / can’t for ability and permission
Target language: English
Level: A1
Lesson type: Grammar and Vocabulary Lesson
Lesson number: #081
Available explanations:
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Lesson 81: can / can’t for simple ability and permission
Today’s grammar point:
- can = be able to do something
- can’t = not be able to do something / not allowed
Quick review from the previous lessons:
- some / any helped us talk about quantity.
- this / that helped us point to things.
- before / after helped us show time order.
Now we add can / can’t to talk about ability and permission.
5 useful words
1) can = be able to
Reading: kan
Example: I can read.
Usage note: Use can before a base verb.
2) can’t = not be able to
Reading: kant
Example: I can’t swim.
Usage note: Can’t is the short form of cannot.
3) swim = move in water
Reading: swim
Example: She can swim.
Usage note: After can/can’t, use the base verb.
4) read = look at words and understand them
Reading: reed
Example: We can read books.
Usage note: Read is pronounced /reed/ here.
5) drive = control a car
Reading: draiv
Example: You can’t drive here.
Usage note: Use can’t for rules or no permission.
5 example sentences
1) I can read.
Reading: ai kan reed
Meaning: I am able to read.
2) We can swim.
Reading: wi kan swim
Meaning: We are able to swim.
3) She can drive.
Reading: shi kan draiv
Meaning: She is able to drive.
4) You can’t read here.
Reading: yu kant reed hiar
Meaning: You are not able to read here.
5) They can’t drive.
Reading: dhey kant draiv
Meaning: They are not able to drive.
Usage notes
- Use can + base verb: can read, can swim, can drive.
- Use can’t + base verb: can’t read, can’t swim, can’t drive.
- Can is for ability and sometimes permission.
- Can’t can mean “not possible” or “not allowed.”
- Keep the verb in the base form after can/can’t.
Mini practice
1) Fill in the blank: I ___ read.
2) Fill in the blank: You ___ drive here.
3) Make one sentence with can.
4) Make one sentence with can’t.
5) Change to negative: We can swim.
Answer key
1) can
2) can’t
3) Example: I can read.
4) Example: I can’t swim.
5) We can’t swim.
Reply instruction
- Reply with your answers for the mini practice.
- You can also write one new sentence with can and one with can’t.
- If you want, I can check your grammar and correct your 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: #081
Available explanations:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Lesson 81: can / can’t for simple ability and permission
Today’s grammar point:
- can = be able to do something
- can’t = not be able to do something / not allowed
Quick review from the previous lessons:
- some / any helped us talk about quantity.
- this / that helped us point to things.
- before / after helped us show time order.
Now we add can / can’t to talk about ability and permission.
5 useful words
1) can = be able to
Reading: kan
Example: I can read.
Usage note: Use can before a base verb.
2) can’t = not be able to
Reading: kant
Example: I can’t swim.
Usage note: Can’t is the short form of cannot.
3) swim = move in water
Reading: swim
Example: She can swim.
Usage note: After can/can’t, use the base verb.
4) read = look at words and understand them
Reading: reed
Example: We can read books.
Usage note: Read is pronounced /reed/ here.
5) drive = control a car
Reading: draiv
Example: You can’t drive here.
Usage note: Use can’t for rules or no permission.
5 example sentences
1) I can read.
Reading: ai kan reed
Meaning: I am able to read.
2) We can swim.
Reading: wi kan swim
Meaning: We are able to swim.
3) She can drive.
Reading: shi kan draiv
Meaning: She is able to drive.
4) You can’t read here.
Reading: yu kant reed hiar
Meaning: You are not able to read here.
5) They can’t drive.
Reading: dhey kant draiv
Meaning: They are not able to drive.
Usage notes
- Use can + base verb: can read, can swim, can drive.
- Use can’t + base verb: can’t read, can’t swim, can’t drive.
- Can is for ability and sometimes permission.
- Can’t can mean “not possible” or “not allowed.”
- Keep the verb in the base form after can/can’t.
Mini practice
1) Fill in the blank: I ___ read.
2) Fill in the blank: You ___ drive here.
3) Make one sentence with can.
4) Make one sentence with can’t.
5) Change to negative: We can swim.
Answer key
1) can
2) can’t
3) Example: I can read.
4) Example: I can’t swim.
5) We can’t swim.
Reply instruction
- Reply with your answers for the mini practice.
- You can also write one new sentence with can and one with can’t.
- If you want, I can check your grammar and correct your sentences.
Reply format: Start your reply with your explanation language code, e.g. [TR], [EN], [AR], [RU], [ES], [DE], [FR], [IT].