Modal “can” indicating ability and its negative
This lesson focuses only on how we use a modal can indicating ability and also it’s negative.
a. The modal “can” is used with a main verb when we wish to show that someone, an animal or a plant is able to show that someone, an animal or a plant is “able to do something”.
Examples:
Flowers can make the garden look pretty.
Fruits can give us the vitamins our body needs.
My sister can type very fast.
My father can play tennis very well.
A camel can live in a hot dessert.
b. The modal “can” may be written in the “negative” by adding “-not” or “-n’t”.
Examples:
She can not carry the heavy desk.
I don not have a watch so I cannot tell you what time it is.
Mother can’t drive a car.
I can’t speak German.
Practice Exercise:
Fill in each blank with “can” or “cannot”
1. A bird __________swim. It __________fly.
2. The thin boy __________ run very fast. The fat boy __________ run very fast.
3. A snail __________ crawl. It __________ jump.
4. A fish __________ breathe in water. It __________ walk on land.
5. A monkey __________ fly. It __________ climb trees.
So, there you go, that’s the end of this lesson, hope you enjoyed it. Don’t forget to subscribe, share, like and let me know your thoughts and questions. Love to hear from you.
Downloadable files
Download the PowerPoint Presentation and Word file used in this English tutorial for beginners Modal “can” indicating ability and its negative.
For more readings
- How to agree and disagree in English using short answers
- The difference between “a little” and “little”
- The Difference between A FEW and FEW in English
- When to use “a little” and “a few”: English Grammar Rules
- Compound Words: English Vocabulary
- The difference between MUST and HAVE TO
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