Can and Can't Exercises
Do more with this exercise
Use can and can't
Use can to say that someone is able or allowed to do something. Use can't to say that they are not able or not allowed.
- Form:
- Use can + the basic verb: I can swim. She can read. Do not add -s after he or she.
- Negative:
- Cannot and can't mean the same thing: I can't drive.
- Question:
- Put can before the person: Can you swim? Do not use do or does.
- Short answer:
- Answer Yes, I can or No, I can't. Do not say Yes, I can swim as a short answer.
- Permission:
- Can I open the window? asks if it is OK. You can use my pen gives permission.
Examples
I can swim.
Use the basic verb after can.
She can't drive.
Can't means cannot.
Can your brother cook? Yes, he can.
Start the question with can; repeat can in the short answer.
Can I use your pen?
Ask for permission with Can I...?
You can sit here.
Here can gives permission.
Audio uses a synthetic voice.
Practice exercises
Choose can or can't
Choose the option that completes each sentence.
1.My sister ___ sing. She sings every day.
2.A baby ___ drive a car.
3.___ I use your phone, please?
4.Can your friends swim? Yes, they ___.
5.The teacher says yes. He ___ come in now.
Fill the gaps
Type can or can't. Use the clue in each sentence.
Put the words in order
Select the parts in order to make a sentence or question.
11. Build the sentence:
12. Build the sentence:
13. Build the sentence:
14. Build the sentence:
Right or wrong?
Decide whether each English sentence is correct.
15.She can sings well.
16.Can we sit here?
17.Do you can swim?
18.No, he can't.
Ability and permission with can
Can is a useful word for talking about ability. Say I can swim if you know how to swim. Say I can't swim if you do not know how. The form is the same for every person: I can, she can, and they can. The verb after can stays in its basic form.
You can also use can for permission. Can I use your pen? asks if it is OK. You can use my pen gives permission. The situation tells you whether can means ability or permission.
To ask a question, move can to the front: She can cook. Can she cook? In a short answer, repeat can or can't: Yes, she can. No, she can't. Do not use do or does with can.
Frequently asked questions
What comes after can?
Use the basic verb without to or -s: she can sing, not she can sings.
How do I ask a question with can?
Put can before the subject: Can you swim? Do not add do or does.
What is the difference between can and can't?
Can says that something is possible or allowed. Can't, the short form of cannot, says that it is not possible or not allowed.
Can I use can to ask for permission?
Yes. Can I open the window? asks for permission. A reply can be Yes, you can or No, you can't.
Answer key
1. My sister ___ sing. She sings every day.
Answer: can
Her daily singing shows ability; use can without -s.
2. A baby ___ drive a car.
Answer: can't
A baby does not have this ability, so use can't.
3. ___ I use your phone, please?
Answer: Can
Can I...? asks for permission. No do or does is needed.
4. Can your friends swim? Yes, they ___.
Answer: can
A positive short answer repeats can.
5. The teacher says yes. He ___ come in now.
Answer: can
The teacher gives permission: he can come in.
6. I ___ see the board. Please move your bag.
Answer: can't
The bag stops you from seeing the board, so use can't.
7. Our teacher says we ___ play outside today.
Answer: can
The teacher gives permission, so use can.
8. ___ she speak English?
Answer: Can
Start an ability question with can.
9. No, I ___. I don't know how to swim.
Answer: can't
A negative short answer ends with can't.
10. You ___ use my pen. Here it is.
Answer: can
Can gives the other person permission.
11. swim? / you / Can
Answer: Can you swim?
Put can before you in a question.
12. play / She can / tennis.
Answer: She can play tennis.
Use the basic verb play after can.
13. open / Can I / the window?
Answer: Can I open the window?
Can I...? asks for permission.
14. today. / He can't / come
Answer: He can't come today.
Can't goes before the basic verb come.
15. She can sings well.
Answer: False
After can, use the basic verb: She can sing well.
16. Can we sit here?
Answer: True
Can goes before we when asking for permission.
17. Do you can swim?
Answer: False
Can makes its own question: Can you swim?
18. No, he can't.
Answer: True
This is a correct negative short answer.