Speaking: Grammar in Speaking A2 - Lesson 5: Using "can/can't" for Ability

Speaking: Grammar in Speaking A2 - Lesson 5

Using "can/can't" for Ability

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to talk about your abilities and understand the crucial pronunciation difference between "can" and "can't".

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Talking About Your Abilities

We use the modal verb² "can"³ to talk about ability¹—the things we know how to do. The structure is simple: Subject + can/can't + base verb.

• Positive (+): I can ride a moto.
• Negative (-): I can't fly a plane.
• Question (?): Can you speak Chinese?

The most important part of this lesson is learning to hear and say the difference between the positive "can" and the negative "can't".

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Key Grammar Terms

1. Ability (Noun) | សមត្ថភាព | The power or skill to do something. ↩
2. Modal Verb (Noun) | កិរិយាស័ព្ទគន្លឹះ | A special "helping" verb that adds meaning (like ability or possibility) to the main verb. ↩
3. can / can't (Modal Verb) | អាច / មិនអាច | The modal verb used to talk about ability. ↩

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record_voice_over Pronunciation Focus: The Sound of "Can" vs. "Can't"

In spoken English, the difference between "can" and "can't" is not the 't' sound at the end. The difference is the stress and the vowel sound.

• Positive "can" is WEAK. It is unstressed and pronounced quickly, like "k'n" (/kən/). The stress goes on the main verb.
  Example: I k'n SWIM.
• Negative "can't" is STRONG. It is stressed and has a sharp, clear 'a' sound (/kænt/ or /kɑːnt/). The stress is on "can't".
  Example: I CAN'T swim.

Listen carefully to the audio guide. The only way to know the difference sometimes is to listen for which word is stressed!

lightbulb The Easy Rules for "Can"

"Can" is an easy verb to use because it has simple rules.

Rule 1: The verb after "can" or "can't" is always the base form.

• He can speak English. (NOT "speaks")
• She can't play the guitar. (NOT "plays")

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?

sports_esports Practice Your Abilities

Activity 1: Can or Can't?

Listen to the audio guide. I will say five sentences. Based on the stress, did you hear the positive "can" or the negative "can't"?

1. They ______ come to the party. (Answer: can't)
2. She ______ help you now. (Answer: can)
3. He ______ drive a car. (Answer: can't)
4. We ______ meet tomorrow. (Answer: can)
5. I ______ understand the question. (Answer: can't)

Activity 2: What Can You Do?

Make three true sentences about yourself. Use two with "I can..." and one with "I can't...".

Example: "I can ride a bicycle. I can 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.
• ...someone who can't swim.
• ...someone who can speak more than two languages.

task Your Grammar Mission

This week in Siem Reap, 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. For example: "I talked to my friend, Vuthy. He can cook very well, but he can't sing."