quarta-feira, 22 de maio de 2013

Modal Verb: Can


Can is used to express ability or to say that something is possible.
Can is the same for all subjects. We don't add an '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)
He can swim well. We can see my neighbour in the garden.


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)
cannot play the piano. We can't go to the cinema tonight.

Questions
To from the question 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 go to the party, please?

Remember that you can use short answers:
Can I sit here please? Yes, you can.
Can you speak Chinese? No, I can't.


Impersonal Can
Sometimes You can and Can you…? are impersonal and refer to people in general.
You can see many stars at night from here. (= people in general can see many stars)
It doesn't necessarily refer to you but people in general.
You can't run naked in the middle of the street.
Not necessarily saying YOU can't run naked in the middle of the street but in general it is not possible for anyone.

Exercises:
1)      Can you play the guitar?
a)       Yes, I can’t.     b) No, cannot.     c) Yes, I can.     d) No, I am not.

2)      I ________.
a)       Can speak German.     b) Can to speak English.     c) Can be learn French.      d) Is can study English.

3)      Can he speak English?
a)       Yes, he do.     b) No, I can’t.     c) Yes, he can.     d) Yes, you can.

4)      Can you swim?
a)       So can I.     b) Also can too.     c) Yes, I can’t.     d) No, I cannot.

5)      Which is correct?
a)       Please I use can your telephone?     b) Can I please use your telephone?        c) Can you call me please telephone?     d) Please I call your can with telephone?


Teacher Gustavo

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