Can and Can’t: Examples & Exercises

Can and can’t are important words in English. We use them to talk about abilities, permissions, and possibilities. They are easy because the verb does not change for different people. Try this exercise:

EXERCISE: Can / Can’t – choose the right sentence

Choose the correct sentence according to the picture.

1 / 10

Choose the correct sentence:

Can you park here.

You can't park here.

You can park here.

2 / 10

Choose the correct sentence:

We can taking the bus.

We can take the bus.

We can to take the bus.

3 / 10

Choose the correct sentence:

He can't cook.

He can't cooking.

He can't to cook.

4 / 10

Choose the correct sentence:

He can riding a bike.

He can ride a bike.

He can to ride a bike.

5 / 10

Choose the correct sentence:

You can't using your phone.

You can't to use your phone.

You can't use your phone.

6 / 10

Choose the correct question:

We can enter?

Can we entering?

Can we enter?

7 / 10

Choose the correct sentence:

They can dance well.

They can dances well.

They can to dance well.

8 / 10

Choose the correct question:

Can he swim?

Can he swimming?

He can swim?

9 / 10

Choose the correct sentence:

We can sit here.

We can sitting here.

Can we sit here.

10 / 10

Choose the correct sentence:

You can't smokes here.

You can't smoke here.

You can smoke here.

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Structure

We use:

• Subject + can + verb
  • I can speak English.
  • She can swim.
• Subject + can’t / cannot + verb
  • I cannot drive. (more formal)
  • He can’t dance. (neutral / informal)

In questions, we put can at the beginning:

• Can you speak English?
• Can we sit here?

We do not say “can to” and we do not add -s or -ing to the verb.

For short answers, we use only can or can’t, without the main verb.

• Can you speak English? Yes, I can.
• Can we sit here? No, you can’t.

Can and Can’t Infographic

Uses of Can and Can’t

Abilities (skills)

We use can to talk about things people know how to do.

• I can cook.
• She can’t play the guitar.
• Can they swim well?

Permission (what is permitted)

We also use can to say what people are allowed/permitted to do.

• You can use your phone now.
• You can’t eat in the classroom.
• Can I open the window?

Possibility (what is possible)

We use can to talk about options or things that are possible.

• You can take the bus or walk.
• We can’t order beer here.
• Can we park in front of the school?

Can and Can’t exercises

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