Can is a kind of
auixiliary verb called a modal verb. Modal verbs
express a particuilar character or mood of a
verb.
Can is often used
to show ability. For example: "We can speak
English", or "He can sing well."
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Statements
I can play
the piano.
She can drive a car.
Negatives
I cannot play
the piano.
She cannot drive a car.
|
Questions
Can you play
the piano?
Can she drive a car?
|
Cannot and can't
are the same: eg.
- I cannot cook well.
- I can't cook well.
Can't is much more common in spoken English.
Can is also used
to show permission. For example: "You can
go home after class". Here are the Simple
Present forms of can for permission.
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Statements
You can meet
her tommorrow. - (You have permission
to meet her).
Negatives
She can't come
to our house. - (She doesn't have permisson
to visit us).
|
Questions
Can we go to
the movies? - (Please give us permission
to watch a movie).
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This Unit is relatively
straightforward, so on to the exercises!
