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Joy English · Level A1 · Modal verbsjoy-english.com

Can and can't for ability

Name:Date:

Say what people are able to do, ask about abilities and give short answers.

Choose the correct form

Choose the correct word or words to complete each sentence.

  1. Aiko ___ speak Japanese and English.
    • a) can
    • b) cans
    • c) can to
  2. Penguins can't ___.
    • a) flying
    • b) fly
    • c) to fly
  3. ___ you play the piano?
    • a) Do can
    • b) Are
    • c) Can
  4. Can Tomás swim? — No, he ___.
    • a) can't
    • b) doesn't
    • c) isn't
  5. My baby sister is only six months old. She ___ walk.
    • a) can
    • b) can't
    • c) cans
  6. Ravi can ___ very fast.
    • a) run
    • b) runs
    • c) running
  7. What ___ cook? — I can make pasta and soup.
    • a) you can
    • b) can you
    • c) do you can
  8. My dog is very clever. It ___ open the door!
    • a) can't
    • b) cannot
    • c) can

Write can or can't

Type can, can't or cannot. Add the verb in brackets when there is one. When the brackets include not, make it negative.

  1. Sofia ___ (speak) three languages.
  2. I ___ (not / swim), but I want to learn.
  3. ___ you ride a horse?
  4. Can your parents use a smartphone? — Yes, they ___.
  5. Kofi ___ (not / play) football today. His foot hurts.
  6. Our cat ___ (climb) trees very quickly.
  7. Can Mina drive? — No, she ___.
  8. How many languages ___ your teacher speak?

Answer key

Choose the correct form

  1. a) canCan is the same for every subject. Never add -s or to.
  2. b) flyAfter can and can't, use the base verb: fly.
  3. c) CanQuestions about ability start with can. We don't use do or are.
  4. a) can'tThe question uses can, so the short answer uses can't.
  5. b) can'tA baby of six months is not able to walk, so we use can't.
  6. a) runAfter can, use the base verb with no -s: run.
  7. b) can youIn questions, can comes before the subject: What can you cook?
  8. c) canThe dog is clever, so it is able to open the door: can.

Write can or can't

  1. can speakUse can + the base verb: can speak.
  2. can't swim / cannot swimThe negative is can't or cannot + the base verb.
  3. CanQuestions about ability start with can.
  4. canThe question uses can, so the positive short answer is Yes, they can.
  5. can't play / cannot playKofi is not able to play, so we use can't or cannot + play.
  6. can climbUse can + the base verb, with no -s.
  7. can't / cannotThe question uses can, so the negative short answer is No, she can't.
  8. canAfter a question word, can comes before the subject.

Joy English · free English practice · https://joy-english.com/grammar/can-cant