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Negative
Negative
is a modal verb.
Can is the same for all subjects. We don't add an 'S' in the third person (like other verbs)
Negative
To form the negative we add "not" after can to form one word: cannot.
Questions
To from the question we change the position of the subject and the auxiliary verb.
Where can I buy an ice-
cream?
Can I go to the party, please?
Can you speak Japanese?
What can we do on
Saturday?
Summary Chart
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)
Not necessarily saying YOU can't run naked in the middle of the street but in general it is not
possible for anyone.
Next activities
Try our Can - Can't - Cannot Game.
Can - Could
English Grammar - Modal Verbs
CAN
The three main uses of Can are: 1) ability 2) possibility and 3) permission. However there are
some other used of Canas we will see below.
1. To express ability
Birds can fly.
Elephants can't fly.
I can speak two languages.
You don't need to walk home. I can take you there if you like.
Can I carry your bags for you?
6. Can't: when you are sure that something isn't true or something is surprising
For more examples, including how to make questions, see our grammar notes about Can -
Cannot. You might also want to see our Can - Can't - Cannot Game
COULD
Could is similar to Can and often replaces Can in the past tense (though not always)
2. Polite word used to ask for permission or to request something (in the present)
Just like can't, you can use couldn't when you are sure that something isn't true or real.
This is used to say that someone was able to do something, but they did not try to do it.
Sometimes this is a form of criticism.
Would + Can = Could. Note: Would be able to can replace could in the following examples.
If we had some
oranges
I could make
you some fresh
juice.
I could write
the letter if you
told me what to
include.
Can vs
Could
Summary
Chart