Can/ Can’t

Affirmative and negative form

Affirmative Negative
Long form Short form
I can sing. I cannot sing. I can’t sing.
You can sing. You cannot sing. You can’t sing.
He can sing. He cannot sing. He can’t sing.
She can sing. She cannot sing. She can’t sing.
It can sing. It cannot sing. It can’t sing.
We can sing. We cannot sing. We can’t sing.
You can sing. You cannot sing. You can’t sing.
They can sing. They cannot sing. They can’t sing.

Subject + can / can’t + base form of the verb

Can has the same form for all persons and it is always followed by the
base form of the verb.
Eg. They can speak Chinese.

Expressing ability

We use very/really well, well, quite well and at all to show ability by

highlighting how well we can/can’t do something.

These words are always used after the verb or the complement.

Eg. We can play well the guitar well.

She can’t speak very well English very well.
Interrogative form and short answers

Short answers
Affirmative Negative
Can + subject + base form of the verb?

Interrogative form
Can I sing? Yes, you can. No, you can’t.
Can you sing? Yes, I can. No, I can’t.
Can he sing? Yes, he can. No, he can’t.
Can she sing? Yes, she can. No, she can’t.
Can it sing? Yes, it can. No, it can’t.
Can we sing? Yes, you can. No, you can’t.
Can you sing? Yes, we can. No, we can’t.
Can they sing? Yes, they can. No, they can’t.

In short negative answers, we always use can’t.

Eg. Can you swim? Yes, I can.
Can your sister ski? No, she can’t.

We always use the base form of the verb after can, in both affirmative
and negative sentences.
Eg. I can play tennis really well.
I can’t swim.
! We don’t use to:
Eg. I can to play tennis really well.
I can’t to swim.
 Asking for and giving / refusing permission

The verb can is also used to ask for or give permission to do

something.
The form could is used in formal contexts or to ask for a favour.
Key expressions
Questions
Can I / we …?
Could I / we …?
Answers
Yes, you can.
Yes, sure / of course / OK / all right.
No, you can’t. You’ve got a lot of homework.
No, you can’t. You’ve got a dentist’s / doctor’s appointment.
No, I’m sorry, you can’t. You’ve got an exam tomorrow.
No, I’m sorry, but I need it / them.