Modals of Ability
Fun Grammar Lessons
1 Grammar Notes cont.
B. Can
Can is a present modal of ability.
Pattern Meaning Examples
Can + base verb • I can play the piano.
can + means that someone • My brother can draw
Positive
base verb is able to do the beautiful pictures.
action in the present. • We can skateboard.
Can’t + base verb
• She can’t ski.
can’t + means that someone
Negative • They can’t read yet.
base verb is not able to do the
• I can’t ride a bicycle.
action in the present.
• Can you dance?
A question with can +
Yes, I can. / No, I can’t.
can + subject + base verb
• Can he sing?
Question subject + asks if someone is
Yes, he can. / No, he can’t.
base verb able to do the action
• Can they go to the park after school?
in the present.
Yes, they can. / No, they can’t.
Note #1 Note #2
When speaking quickly, can has no stress when followed by a verb. Can’t is short for cannot.
Can is reduced to /k n/. We don’t reduce can’t. Notice the one-word spelling.
Examples: • I k n ski. But: • Yes, I can. • She cannot swim.
• She k n sing. • No, I can’t. • They cannot ski.
• K n you dance? • He can’t draw.
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Modals of Ability
Fun Grammar Lessons
2 Matchup
Match the picture and the first half
of the sentence with the correct verb.
Ex He can a ski
1 She can b play video games
2 I can c ride a bicycle
3 He can d dance
4 They can e draw
5 You can f play the guitar
6 We can g skateboard
7 You can h run
8 I can i sing
9 She can j play the piano
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Modals of Ability
Fun Grammar Lessons
3 Writing about My Hobbies
A. I can...
Write 5 sentences about what you can do.
Ex I can draw. 3
1 4
2 5
B. I can’t...
Write 5 sentences about what you can’t do.
Ex I can’t ski. 3
1 4
2 5
C. Practice
Now read your sentences to a partner.
Practise the reduced pronunciation for can.
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Modals of Ability
Fun Grammar Lessons
4 Pair Work (Student A)
Fill in the missing information about Maria and John by asking
your partner questions. Put a if the person can do the action,
and put an if the person can’t do the action.
Examples
1 A: Can John draw? 2 B: Can Maria draw?
B: No, he can’t. A: Yes, she can.
Maria
John
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Modals of Ability
Fun Grammar Lessons
4 Pair Work (Student B)
Fill in the missing information about Maria and John by asking
your partner questions. Put a if the person can do the action,
and put an if the person can’t do the action.
Examples
1 A: Can John draw? 2 B: Can Maria draw?
B: No, he can’t. A: Yes, she can.
Maria
John
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Modals of Ability
Fun Grammar Lessons
5 Find Someone Who
First, write the questions in the “Question” column.
Then ask different classmates these questions. If a classmate
answers “Yes,” write his or her name in the “Name” column.
# Find someone who... Question Name
1 can ski. Can you ski?
2 can draw an elephant.
3 can sing.
4 can dance.
5 can swim.
6 can play the guitar.
7 can run very fast.
8 can watch TV at night.
9 can skateboard.
10 can ride a bicycle.
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