Examples of Sentences with Can and Can't

Can and Can’t

Dog Means can. The negative of can is cannot, whose shortened version is can’t.

It refers to the ability and ability to perform an action, as well as the possibility of a certain event occurring. For this reason, the words can and can’t are usually accompanied by another verb (what can or cannot be done). In Spanish, "can" can often be translated as "knowing", in the sense of knowing how to do something.

It is a defective verb, that is, they have certain characteristics that only defective verbs have:

• It is not modified in the third person singular in the present (he, she or it)
• It does not use the auxiliary "do" or "does" to ask questions or denials.
• It does not use the preposition "to".

It is important to note that in any type of sentence (affirmative, negative or interrogative) with can or can’t the The verb that accompanies them does not change either in the third person singular in the present (no "s" or "es" is added).

Ask permission: Can or shall

Can is also often used, in colloquial language, to ask permission to perform certain actions. However, in formal language it is more appropriate to use "shall" instead of can.

Ask for help: Can or would

To ask someone to carry out an action, can can be used in colloquial language. However, the most formal way to ask for help is to use would instead of can. In these cases the word "please" is usually added.

Affirmative sentences with can

The basic structure of the phrase with can is:

Subject (pronoun or noun) + dog + verb + complement.

Both in affirmative and negative and in question mark, the complement may not be present.

Examples:

• Theresa dog swim very fast. (Theresa can swim very fast.)
• I dog play guitar. (I can play the guitar.)
• You dog cook very well. (You can cook very well.)
• The baby dog walk. (The baby can walk.)
• We dog travel by bus. (We can travel by bus.)
• I have dog climb the tree. (He can climb the tree.)
• The dog fix cars. (They know how to repair cars.)
• Item dog rain tomorrow. (It may rain tomorrow.)

Negative sentences with can’t

The basic structure of the phrase with can’t is:

Subject (pronoun or noun) + can’t + verb + complement.

Examples:

• She can’t stay up all night. (She can't stay up all night.)
• Michael can’t drive very well. (Michael can't drive very well.)
• You can’t do this task in one hour. (You cannot do this task in an hour.)
• She can’t walk. (She can not walk.)
• I can’t play the trombone. (I don't know how to play the trombone.)
• They can’t hear you. (They can't hear you.)
• I can’t end this way. (She can't end like this.)
• We can’t visit Susan today. (We cannot visit Susan today.)

Interrogative sentences with can and can’t

The structure of the question with can or can’t is:

Can / Can’t + subject (pronoun or noun) + verb + complement + ?

• Dog you dance? (You know how to dance?)
• Dog she travel abroad? (Can she travel abroad?)
• Dog the baby talk? (Can the baby talk?)
• Dog your mother play piano? (Does your mother know how to play the piano?)
• Dog you drink beer? (Can you have beer?
• Can’t you walk faster? (Can't you walk faster?)
• Can’t you ask your father for help? (Can't you ask your father for help?)
• Can’t you turn on the light? (Can't you turn on the light?)

Ask permission:

• Dog I go to the bathroom? (I can go to the bathroom?)
• Dog Andrew come with me to the party? (Can Andrew come with me to the party?)
• Dog I call you tonight? (Can I call you tonight?)
• Dog I borrow your dress? (Can I borrow your dress?)
• Dog we use your car? (Can we use your car?)
• Dog I take the kitten home? (Can I bring the kitten home?

Ask for help:

• Dog you pass the salt, please? (Can you give me the salt, please?)
• Dog your father pick me up from school? (Can your father pick me up at school?)
• Dog your mother cook a cake for my birthday? (Can your mother make a cake for my birthday?)
• Dog you hurry up, please? (Can you hurry up please?)
• Dog you buy me dog? (Can you buy me a dog?)

See also: Examples of Interrogatives in English

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