Can – Cannot
Can is used to ask and give permission:
Can I go with you? (interrogative) You can watch TV after doing homework.
(affirmative). You cannot (can’t) play in the rain. (negative)
Look at the pictures and write sentences with can or can’t to describe what students are
allowed or not to do in the classroom, then make a red circle around things they cannot
do:
Smoke:
Ask questions
Talk
Do homework in class
Leave the classroom
Have a snack
Take the school bus
Can is used to talk about knowledge or skills:
I can swim 40 laps without stopping. (affirmative) Sue cannot (can’t) speak English.
(negative). Can your sister play the piano? (interrogative)
Oscar
Alfred
Melanie
Ernest Grandpa
Patricia
Look at the pictures and write about what they can / can’t do:
Ernest can’t play the piano, but he ……………………………………………………
Melanie can’t ride a horse, but she ……………………………………………………
Oscar …………………………….. a motorcycle, but he ……………………………….
Patricia ……………… dance, but she ……………………………………………………….
Alfred ………… sew, but he ……………………………………………………………………
Grandpa can’t understand German, but he ………………………… Greek.
Can is used in the meaning of “it’s possible for…”:
Sue can help you after class. (affirmative) Sorry, I can’t wait for you. (negative) Can
Sally bring the cake? (interrogative)
Ask people if it’s possible for them to do some things:
Sylvia / arrive early tomorrow – Can you arrive early tomorrow?
Jeannie / take the bus downtown
Your father / take the kids after lunch
Tell people it’s impossible for you to do some things and explain why, as in the
model:
I / open the door -> I can’t open the door because I lost the key.
Sue / get a new job Sue cannot get a new job because she lives very far.
Arnold / paint the wall He cannot paint a wall because he is allergic to the paint
I have an allergy to
Roger and Lucy / travel next vacation
You / buy a new car They can’t travel next vacation because they have a little child.
Holiday / holidays / va-ca tion
Can is used to ask for something:
Number the pictures above according to the following sentences:
1- Can you watch the baby for 2 hours?
2- Can you turn off the TV?
3- Can you open the door for me?
4- Can you take my luggage?
5- Can you do the vacuuming when you finish doing the dishes?
6- Can you put the clothes in the washer?
7- Can you help me with these books?
8- Can you pass me the remote control?
9- Can you feed the dog?
10-Can you hang the clothes in the cloth line?
https://view.genial.ly/5fb2be6deb09630d182d8acf/presentation-ef-el-5a-com-can-you
https://wordwall.net/ru/resource/6808638/english/elementary-5a-verb-phrases
Now look at this: 1- Can you play the piano? à Are you able to play the piano?
Can = may (permission) 2- Susan can take my place if you need. à
Can = be able to ( knowledge or 3- Jeremy can’t eat sweets before dinner à
skill)
4- Can I go out? à
Can = it’s possible (possibility)
5- Can you lend me your pen? à
Can = please (favor)
6- Can you speak English? à
Now look at the sentences and
make the changes in order to 7- I can give you a ride home. à
replace can for the correct word or
expression, preserving the same 8- Sorry, I cannot come here later. à
meaning. Number 1 is done for
9- The kids can’t eat in class. à
you.
Underline the mistakes then correct them:
1) I cannot to wait for you. à
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………….
2) Your father can take us to school? à
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3) Susan cannot bring the baby. à
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
..
