UNIT 5

CAN – CAN’T
ARTICLES
RULES FOR MODALS
1. ALWAYS NEED AN EXTRA VERB:
SHE CAN IN THE SWIMMING POOL.
I CAN RUN IN THE PARK

2. NEVER GET SEPARATED FROM THE VERB (TO) (+/-):

I CAN TO SPEAK ENGLISH.
SHE CAN SPEAK FRENCH.

3. ALWAYS USE THE BASE FORM OF THE VERB (AND MODAL):

I CAN COOKING.
HE CANS PLAYS SOCCER.
SHE CAN WALK FAST.
CAN (MODAL VERB) – ABILITY OR
POSSIBILITY
+ I CAN SPEAK ENGLISH.
+ SHE CAN GO TO THE PARTY TONIGHT.

- I CAN’T SPEAK ENGLISH.

- SHE CAN’T GO TO THE PARTY TONIGHT.

? CAN YOU SPEAK ENGLISH? – YES, I CAN.

? CAN SHE GO TO THE PARTY? – NO, SHE CAN’T.
PRONUNCIATION
+ EMPHASIS IN THE VERB
1. I CAN FLY
2. SHE CAN SWIM

- EMPHASIS IN THE MODAL

1. I CAN’T FLY
2. SHE CAN’T SWIM
LINKS FOR PRACTICE
• https://www.liveworksheets.com/worksheets/en/English_as_a_Secon
d_Language_(ESL)/Free_Time_activities/Listening_Activity*_Sports_aj
255381tl
• https://es.liveworksheets.com/worksheets/en/
English_as_a_Second_Language_%28ESL%29/Abilities/Can_can
%27t_listening_nt896367nh
• https://www.liveworksheets.com/worksheets/en/English_as_a_Secon
d_Language_(ESL)/Action_verbs/4.3._Cartoon_Characters_-_Action_V
erbs_%E2%80%98%C2%B7_Can_-_Can't_uu1301147sm
• https://agendaweb.org/verbs/can-exercises.html
ARTICLES
(A,AN,THE,ZERO)
A – An (Un,una)
• Jobs (singular): a student, a teacher, an architect.
I am a student.
• Singular nouns: a house, an eraser, a dog, a friend.
I have a dog and a cat. (= one)
• 1st mention:
Let’s go to a restaurant. (1st time)
The (el,la,los,las)
• Unique (only one): the president, the sun, the moon.
I met the president of France yesterday.
• Parts of the day: in the morning, in the afternoon, in the
evening. (*At night)
I study in the morning.
• Names of a few countries: The USA, The UK, The UAE.
My best friend lives in the USA.
The (el,la,Los,las)
• With some phrases: at the weekend, on the left.
I usually go to the cinema at the weekend.
• 2nd mention (and on):
Let’s go to the restaurant. (2nd time)
A/an vs The

1. Let’s go to a restaurant.
2. Let’s go to the restaurant.
3. I saw a cute girl.
4. I saw the cute girl.
Zero ( )
x/-

• Names of people: Andrea, Mario, Carlos, Samantha.

I saw Samantha yesterday.
• Most countries or cities: Colombia, Medellin, Peru, Spain, Madrid.
I went to Madrid last summer.
• Transport (by): bus, car, bike.
I go to the institute by car/bus.
Zero ( )
x/-

• Times and days: On Monday, Saturday, etc. / At 8:00, 1pm

I never go swimming on Tuesday at 12:00
• Some phrases: work, school, home
I usually go to work/ school at 8:00am
• Things in general:
I love cats / She loves books / People don’t like lies.
Links to practice
• https://agendaweb.org/grammar/articles-intermediate-exercises.html

• https://www.liveworksheets.com/worksheets/en/English_as_a_Secon
d_Language_%28ESL%29/Articles