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English grammar

can and cannot

A0 · Starter Verbs and time Questions 10

The rule

can does three jobs at A0: it says what you are able to do (I can work in a kitchen), it asks politely (Can you help me?), and it asks permission (Can I sit here?). The verb after can is always plain — never can works, never can to work — and can never takes -s, not even after he or she.

Pattern

I can work · she can work | Can you help me? · I cannot come

Examples

  1. I can speak a little English.

  2. Can you help me, please?

  3. Can I sit here?

  4. I cannot come today.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: She cans help you.

    Right: She can help you.

    can never takes -s.

  • Wrong: I can to work on Monday.

    Right: I can work on Monday.

    No to after can. The plain verb follows straight on.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    1. I can working in a kitchen.
    2. I can to work in a kitchen.
    3. I can work in a kitchen.
    4. I can works in a kitchen.
    Show answer

    Answer: C I can work in a kitchen.

    can, then the plain verb.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    1. She is can see you on Friday.
    2. She can see you on Friday.
    3. She cans see you on Friday.
    4. She can sees you on Friday.
    Show answer

    Answer: B She can see you on Friday.

    can never takes -s, whoever the subject is.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    You are asking a stranger for help.

    1. You can help me, please?
    2. Do you can help me, please?
    3. Can you help me, please?
    4. Can you helping me, please?
    Show answer

    Answer: C Can you help me, please?

    Can you …, please? is the standard polite request.

  4. 4Choose the correct sentence.

    1. I can not to come to work today.
    2. I am not can come to work today.
    3. I do not can come to work today.
    4. I cannot come to work today.
    Show answer

    Answer: D I cannot come to work today.

    The negative is cannot, written as one word.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    _____ I try these shoes on?

    1. Does
    2. Can
    3. Am
    4. Do
    Show answer

    Answer: B Can I try these shoes on?

    Asking permission for yourself → Can I …?

  6. 6Fill in the gap.

    He _____ come on Thursday morning.

    1. cans
    2. can to
    3. can
    4. is can
    Show answer

    Answer: C He can come on Thursday morning.

    can, unchanged after he.

  7. 7Fill in the gap.

    Sorry, I _____ help you with that.

    1. am not can
    2. do not can
    3. cannot
    4. no can
    Show answer

    Answer: C Sorry, I cannot help you with that.

    Saying you are unable → cannot.

  8. 8Fill in the gap.

    _____ you speak more slowly, please?

    1. Does
    2. Do
    3. Can
    4. Are
    Show answer

    Answer: C Can you speak more slowly, please?

    A polite request starts with Can.

  9. 9Put the words in the right order.

    Can I pay by card

    Show answer

    Answer: Can I pay by card?

    Can, subject, plain verb.

  10. 10Put the words in the right order.

    I cannot find the sugar

    Show answer

    Answer: I cannot find the sugar.

    cannot goes where can goes.

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