NOTE: Negative form of CAN is either “cannot” or “can not” and its negative contraction is “Can’t”. In British English, it is pronounced /ka:nt/ but in American English, it is /kent/.
NOTE: Negative “YES/NO QUESTIONS” are formed in two ways:
Sarven can ride a bike.
He can speak Japanese.
I can play table tennis.
We can cook.
They can eat with chop sticks.
Paul and Ingrid can ski.
2. Inability
He can’t ride a horse.
I can’t type very fast.
We can’t lift 100 kilos.
Jan can not run fast.
Alicia cannot drive a car.
3. Request
Can you help me?
Can you tell me the way to the museum?
Can you come here a minute please?
4. Permissions
Can I use your cell phone?
Can I take a day off?
Can I smoke here?
Can I go out?
Typical responses: Certainly. Yes, certainly. Of course. Of course you can. Sure (informal) … etc
5. Possibility
The florist can deliver the bouquet early.
My friend can visit me this week
Note:can is not normal used to describe future possibility in the positive form.
INCORRECT: It can rain tomorrow.
6. Inappropriateness
You can’t wear that dress! It is indecent.
You can’t smoke in this building. It is illegal.
You can’t ask for information here. This is not information desk.
Comments