| can and could for ability and possibility |AFRMATVE NEGATIVE = SHORTFORM {can swim. I cannot swim. {can't swim, You can swim. You cannot swim You can’t swim. He can swim. He cannot swim. He can't swim. She can swim. She cannot swim. She can't swim. Itean swim. It cannot swim. Itean't swim. We can swim. We cannot swim. We can't swim. You can swim. You cannot swim. You can't swim. They can swim. ‘They cannot swim. They cen't swim. Can | swim? Yes, can. / No, I can’t. Can you swim? Yes, you can. / No, you can't. Can he swim? Yes, he can. / No, he can't Can she swim? Yes, she can. / No, she can't Can it swim? Yes, itcan. No, it can't. Can we swim? Yes, we can. / No, we can't. Can you swim? Yes, you can. / No, you can't. Can they swim? Yes, they can. / No, they can't We form sentences with cam like this: subject + can + base form We use can f can't: + to talk about our skills and general abilities Steve can play the piano, but he can't sing. * to say that something is, o is not possible or allowed We can see the beach from our room. can go to the cinema on Wednesday, but I can’t go on Friday. formal requests Can you open the door, please? Can Ihave another biscuit, please? * to offer to do things Can Hake you to the station? Can I carry those bags for you? * to talk about permission and rules Can we play in the garden? You can't eat in the library. You can use the gym between 1 and 2 pam. ‘The past of ean is could. could play the piano when I was six ‘Could you speak English when you were at school? couldn't / could not stay out late with my friends when 1 was thirteen We use could in polite requests and as a polite way of telling or asking someone to do something. Could you tell me where the library is, please? Could Ihave the bill, please?1 © Karen is at an interview for a job. Listen and complete the sentences with can or can’t. Mr Lucas Good morning, Karen. Karen Yes, | (7) , but | Karen Good morning, Mr Lucas. (8) type fast. Mr-Lucas Now, let me see. (1) can Mr Lucas OK. (9) you tell me you drive? about your interests, please? Karen No, | (2) but | Karen Yes, of course. | play lots of sports a) ride a motorbike. and | travel a lot. Mr-Lucas Right. And (4) you Mr Lucas Well, (10) ask you speak any foreign languages? another question? Karen Yes, | (5) ‘speak Karen Yes, go ahead. Spanish, French, German and Mr Lucas (1) you start work Chinese. tomorrow? The job is yours! Mr Lucas Excellent (6) you use a computer? 2 Can you do these activities? Complete the table for yourself. Then answer the questions. Grace and Activity Lucas You ici 1. Can Lucas bake a cake or swim? bake a cake v x Oo He can bake a cake, but he can't swim. 2 Can Grace and Tim swim? speak Japanese x x Oo —s 3 Can Lucas speak Japanese? swim x v Oo . 4° Can Grace and Tim play an instrument? play an instrument |X v Oo ; 5 Can Lucas ski? repair a car v x Oo - 6 Can Grace and Tim repair a car? ride a horse v x o ski x v o 3. Now write similar sentences about yourself. 1 Lcon't boke @ cake, but | can... 3 2 4. Put the words in the correct order to make sentences. 1 can't / They / tennis / play 4 borrow / please / Can/ your /1/ pen They can't play tennis. 2 you / speak / Chinese / Can 5 have /'I/ some / Can / please / water 2 3° use / mobile phones / You / at/ can't school 6 help / you/ Can /1Use the prompts and can to write sentences. 1 my brother / rot play / the guitar 4 you / pass / the salt / please ‘My brother can’t play the quitar. 2 2. you clean / bedroom / please 5 you / not take photos / in the museum 2 , 3° they / swim 4 we / see/ the mountains / from the hotel ? 2 Write questions with can, Then anwer them with short answers. 1 fill ride a bike x 4 your sister / play hockey A Can jil ride a bike? A B No, she can't. B 2 babies / walk x 5 Amy / type fast_X A 2 A 8 . B 3. Nick / whistle 7 6 Lisa and Joe / speak Russian A 2 A 2 8 8 Complete the sentences with could or couldn't, 1 1_couldn't open the door because it was 4_He was very embarrassed because locked. he remember her name. 2 Alfie was a very clever boy. He 5 It’s a beautiful day. We 0 read when he was four! for a walk at the seaside 3 you repeat that, please? 6 After the accident, she play tennis for two months. Complete the sentences, Use can / can't or could / couldn't plus a verb from the box. find see run go speak understand sleep 1. Susan was really tired last night but she 4 When | was younger | a couldn't sleep. marathon in three hours! 2. The doctor is very busy. He 5 Before Mario came to England he you today. English. 3 Chris to the meeting last Now he everything. week. He was ill. 6 I looked everywhere for my glasses but | them. What could you do when you were six years old? Write sentences with could and couldn’t and the ideas in the box. read speak English play the violin sing draw pictures play video games say the alphabet count to one hundred —_ride a bike 3 2 4