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GRAMMAR

LESSON 19:

Can 2

Goal

I can use can to talk about permission.

Grammar Point

Read the grammar point with your tutor.

Use can to talk about permission.

  • Add can before the dictionary form of the verb.

SENTENCE

CAN SENTENCE

You smoke in the restaurant.

You can smoke in the restaurant.

He sits here.

He can sit here.

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ex

You can borrow my book.

ex

He can open the window.

Be careful: Can is a modal verb, so it does not take third-person s.

She cans eat on the train.

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She can eat on the train.

  • To ask questions about permission, move can before the subject.

SENTENCE

QUESTION

I can ask a question.

Can I ask a question?

She can go to the bathroom.

Can she go to the bathroom?

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ex

Can I borrow a pen?

ex

Can he go to the bathroom?

  • Use short phrases to positively answer questions about permission.

POSITIVE ANSWERS

Yes, I can.

Yes, you can.

Yes, he can.

Yes, she can.

Yes, it can.

Yes, we can.

Yes, they can.

ex

Q: Can I put my bike here?
A: Yes, you can.

ex

Q: Can he bring his friend?
A: Yes, he can.

  • Use short phrases to negatively answer questions about permission too.

NEGATIVE ANSWERS*

Sorry, I can’t.

Sorry, you can’t.

Sorry, he can’t.

Sorry, she can’t.

Sorry, it can’t.

Sorry, we can’t.

Sorry, they can’t.

NEGATIVE ANSWERS*

No, I can’t.

No, you can’t.

No, he can’t.

No, she can’t.

No, it can’t.

No, we can’t.

No, they can’t.

*sorry sounds more polite than no

ex

Q: Can I put my bike here?
A: Sorry, you can’t.

ex

Q: Can he bring his friend?
A: No, he can’t.

  • Use cannot to talk about a lack of permission.

ex

You cannot use a dictionary.

ex

He cannot watch TV tonight.

  • In casual spoken and written English, cannot is usually contracted. Please try to use the contracted form throughout this lesson.

FORMAL ENGLISH

CASUAL ENGLISH

cannot

can’t

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ex

You can’t use a dictionary.

ex

He can’t watch TV tonight.

Sentence Builder

Build new sentences using the grammar point, the original sentences, and the words in parentheses. The form of some words may need to be changed.
Build new sentences using the grammar point, the original sentences, and the words in parentheses. The form of some words may need to be changed.
ex

You can use your phone on the train.

(can’t)
   You can’t use your phone on the train   .
  • He can sit here.

(play)
                            .
  • You can’t eat on the train.

(drink alcohol)
                            .
  • Can I smoke in the restaurant?

(we)
                            ?
  • She can borrow my pen.

(bring her friend)
                            .
  • You can open the window.

(he)
                            .
  • Yes, we can.

(sorry)
                            .
  • Can I have some water?

(put my bike here)
                            ?
  • You can’t use a dictionary.

(can)
                            .
  • No, you can’t.

(yes)
                            .
  • Can I go to the bathroom?

(ask a question)
                            ?

Practice

Make sentences using the grammar point, the words in the box, and the pictures and words below. The form of some words may need to be changed.

ask

use

put

bring

smoke

open

drink

play

sit

eat

skateboard

ex

you / a dictionary

You can’t use a dictionary.
ex

you / a dictionary

You can’t use a dictionary.
  • he / the window

  • you / on the train

  • I / a question

  • he / alcohol / here

  • you / your bike / here

  • we / in the restaurant

  • she / here

  • I / my friend

  • they / soccer / here

  • you / here

Q&A

PART 1
Answer the questions using the grammar point and your own information.
  • In your country, can I smoke in restaurants?
  • In your country, can people use their phones on the train?
  • In our lesson, can I drink water?
  • In your country, can people use convenience store bathrooms?
  • In your country, can I drink alcohol in parks?
PART 2
Use the grammar point to ask your tutor some questions. You can use the ideas below or your own ideas.
I / eat a snack / now
I / ask a question
I / use a dictionary / in our lesson
I / go to the bathroom
I / drink water / now
I / smoke / now