Speaking: Grammar in Speaking A2
Using "can/can't" for Ability
Listen to the examples here.
Pronunciation is the Secret 🤫 (Click 🔊)
In spoken English, the difference between "can" and "can't" is not the 't' sound. The difference is the stress and the vowel sound. This is the most important part of the lesson! Listen carefully.
It is unstressed and pronounced quickly, like "k'n". The stress goes on the main verb.
It is stressed and has a clear 'a' sound (like in "cat"). The stress is on "can't".
Grammar Rules for "can"
💡 The Easy Rules
"Can" is a modal verb. It's easy because the rules are simple:
Rule 1: The verb after "can" or "can't" is always the base form (infinitive without 'to').
- He can speak English. (NOT "speaks")
- She can't play the guitar. (NOT "plays")
- We can go tomorrow. (NOT "going")
Rule 2: The form of "can" never changes.
It's the same for all subjects: I can, you can, he can, she can, it can, we can, they can.
Rule 3: To make a question, switch the subject and "can".
- You can cook. ➡ Can you cook?
- They can come. ➡ Can they come?
Practice Your Abilities 🎯
Activity 1: Can or Can't? (Listening Self-Check)
Listen to the main audio for this activity or click 🔊 next to each sentence. Based on the stress, choose if you heard "can" (weak) or "can't" (strong). Click your choice to check.
Activity 2: What Can You Do?
Make three true sentences about yourself. Use two with "I can..." and one with "I can't...". Practice saying them aloud, paying attention to the weak 'k'n' and strong 'can't'.
Example: "I k'n ride a bicycle. I k'n cook fried rice. I CAN'T speak Japanese."
|
Activity 3: Find Someone Who...
Walk around the room and ask your classmates questions with "Can you...?". Try to find:
- ...someone who can play the guitar. (Ask: "Can you play the guitar?" )
- ...someone who can't swim. (Ask: "Can you swim?" )
- ...someone who can speak more than two languages. (Ask: "Can you speak more than two languages?" )
Remember to listen for the weak 'k'n' or strong 'can't' in their answers!
Key Vocabulary
- Ability The power or skill to do something.
- Modal Verb A special "helping" verb that adds meaning (like ability or possibility) to the main verb (e.g., can, could, may, might, must, should, will, would).
- can / can't The modal verb used to talk about ability. Pronunciation is key: 'can' is weak /kən/, 'can't' is strong /kænt/.
- Base Form The simplest form of a verb, without 'to' or endings like '-s', '-ed', '-ing' (e.g., speak, play, go).
- Stress Making one part of a word or sentence stronger or louder.
Your Grammar Mission ⭐
This week, your mission is to talk about abilities.
Ask a friend or family member, "What is one thing you can do well?". Then, tell another person what your friend said. Remember the pronunciation difference!
Example: "My friend Vuthy k'n cook very well, but he CAN'T sing."