Can / Can't
Talk about ability and permission.
Use 'can' and 'can't' to talk about what you can do and to ask politely.
Look & say · Step 1
5 minGet ready
Can you swim? Can you cook?
Name 1 thing you CAN do well.
Name 1 thing you CAN'T do (but want to learn).
Words to learn · Step 2
8 minNew words today
swim
Move in water
"I can swim."
cook
Make food
"She can cook."
drive
Use a car
"He can drive."
play (an instrument)
Make music
"I can play the guitar."
speak (a language)
Use a language
"She can speak French."
dance
Move to music
"We can dance salsa."
draw
Make a picture
"He can draw cats."
help
Do something for someone
"Can you help me?"
rest
Stop and relax
"Can I rest now?"
ride a bike
Use a bike
"She can ride a bike."
sing
Make music with your voice
"I can't sing."
run fast
Move quickly on feet
"He can run fast."
Activate · Personalise · Recycle
Use these words now
Make each sentence true for you. Say it aloud to a partner.
play (an instrument)
"For me, play (an instrument) is …"
Finish the sentence with your own idea.
help
"For me, help is …"
Finish the sentence with your own idea.
swim
"For me, swim is …"
Finish the sentence with your own idea.
You'll meet these words again in Reading, Listening, Speaking and Homework.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Sounds & saying · Step 3
5 mincan vs can't
'Can' is usually weak /kən/ and quick. 'Can't' is strong /kɑːnt/ (UK) or /kænt/ (US) — the 't' is short. Listen for the difference.
- • I can swim.
- • I can't swim.
- • She can cook.
- • She can't cook.
- • Can you help? — Yes, I can.
Language focus · Step 4
10 mincan / can't + verb
Quick rule
can / can't + verb
'Can' and 'can't' are the same for I / you / he / she / we / they.
- After 'can' use the basic verb — no -s, no 'to'.
Pattern
I can swim.
She can speak English.
We can't cook.
Can you help me?
Yes, I can. / No, I can't.
Question 1.She ___ play tennis very well.
Question 2.I ___ swim — I'm scared of water.
Question 3.___ you help me, please?
Question 4.He can ___ the guitar.
Rebuild each line, spot the natural chunks, then practise responding aloud.
Quick check 1.After 'can', the verb has…
Quick check 2.Short answer: 'Can you swim?' → Yes, I ___.
Reading · Step 5
7 minJob interview
Mia goes to a job interview at a hotel. 🏨 The manager asks: 'What can you do?' Mia says: 'I can speak three languages — English, French, and Spanish. 🗣️ I can use a computer 💻 and I can drive. 🚗 I can also cook, but I can't sing!' 🎤 The manager laughs and says: 'Great! Welcome to our team. You can start on Monday.' 🤝
Question 1.How many languages can Mia speak?
Question 2.What CAN'T Mia do?
Question 3.When does she start?
Q1.Mia can drive.
Q2.Mia can sing very well.
Listening · Step 6
10 minAt the gym
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Coach
Hi! Can I help you?
Sara
Yes, I want to join the gym. Can I try a class?
Coach
Sure. Can you swim?
Sara
Yes, I can swim very well.
Coach
Great. Can you run for 20 minutes?
Sara
No, I can't. I get tired quickly.
Coach
No problem. You can start with yoga. Can you come on Tuesday?
Sara
Yes, I can. Thank you!
Question 1.Sara can…
Question 2.Sara CAN'T…
Question 3.She will start with…
Practice · Step 7
8 minChoose the word
Question 1.She ___ play the guitar — she practises every day.
Question 2.I ___ swim. I never learned.
Question 3.___ I open the window, please?
Question 4.He can ___ very fast.
Q1.Short answer for 'Can you swim?' (positive) = Yes, I ___
Q2.Short answer (negative) = No, I ___
Survival English · Step 8
4 minSpeaking — talk about ability
Task
Talk for 1 minute about 3 things you can do well and 2 things you can't do.
Strategy
Use 'I can' and 'I can't' + verb. Add a short reason or example.
Example
I can speak two languages. I can cook pasta. I can't drive yet — I'm learning.
Writing · Step 9
5 minWrite a little
Your task
Write 6 sentences: 3 things you CAN do well, 2 things you CAN'T do, 1 polite request with 'Can you…?'.
Show model answer
I can speak English and Spanish. I can cook pizza very well. I can drive a car. I can't play the piano. I can't ski. Can you teach me to ski, please?
Speaking · Step 10
12 minTalk together
Pairs: find 3 things you can both do and 2 things only one of you can do.
Useful phrases
- • Can you ___?
- • Yes, I can. / No, I can't.
- • I can ___ very well.
- • I can't ___ at all.
- • Can you teach me?
- ACan you cook?
- B_______________
- ACan you play any instruments?
- B_______________
- ACan you help me with my homework?
- B_______________
Homework · Step 11
Take-homePractice at home
Write 5 sentences about your skills using can / can't.
Record yourself asking 5 polite 'Can you…?' questions.
Learn 5 new action verbs you can use with 'can'.
Recap · Step 12
3 minWhat you learned
- ✅ You can use 'can' for ability and polite requests.
- ❌ You can use 'can't' for things you don't know how to do.
- 🗣️ You can ask and answer 'Can you…?' questions.
- ✍️ You can describe your skills.