Expressing ABILITY with CAN, COULD, CAN'T, and COULDN'T
1. Physical ability: Can,and Can't
Ex: I can lift my t.v. by myself, but I can't lift my refrigerator.
2. We frequently use CAN and CAN'T with the five senses.
Ex: Can you see the board? Can you hear the birds singing? No, I can't.
3. Acquired skill\: Can and Can't
Sarah can play the piano. She can't play the guitar.
4. Possibility: Can, Can't, and Could
Ex: Can you pick up the kids from school today? Is it possible?
Could you pick up the kids from school today? I can't do it.
You can/can't/could get your prescription filled at Walmart. It is (or isn't) possible.
5. To give permission in informal situations: Can and May
Ex: You can leave early if you need to.
You may leave early if you need to (more formal).
The past tense of can is COULD and COULDN'T. It works in the following examples.
1. Yesterday, I couldn't lift the box. I needed help. (Physical ability)
2. Yesterday, I couldn't see the board, but today I can. (5 senses)
3. Last year, Sarah couldn't play the piano, but now she can. (Acquired skill)
Answer the following questions:
1. Name a physical ability that you have and a physical ability you don't have.
2. Name an acquired skill that you have and an acquired skill that you don't have.
3. What is something that a woman can do that a man cannot?
4. What is something that a man can do that a woman cannot?
5. What is something you could do as a child that you can't do now?
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ReplyDeleteDon't begin a sentence with a conjunction!
Delete1. I can feel pain. I can't fly.
ReplyDelete2. I can swim. I can't play football.
3. A women can give birth to a baby but a man can't.
4. A man can shave beard but a women can not.
5. I could grow up when I was a child but I can't do now.
3. A woman can give birth, but a man can't.
Delete4. A man can shave his beard, but a woman cannot.
NOTICE THE COMMAS BEFORE THE CONJUNCTION!
5. The grammar is correct but the meaning is strange.
1: I can run. I can't fly
ReplyDelete2: I DON'T KNOW
3:In America, Woman can get a new last name, Man can't
4:Men can use the restroom without completely removing their pants. A woman cannot
5:I could play in the park when i was a child, but i can't now
1: I can run. I can't fly
ReplyDelete2: I DON'T KNOW
3:In America, Woman can get a new last name, Man can't
4:Men can use the restroom without completely removing their pants. A woman cannot
5:I could play in the park when i was a child, but i can't now
1. I can write with my right hand, but I can't write with my left hand.
ReplyDelete2. I can speak Thai fluently, but I can't speak English like a native speaker.
3. A women can breastfeed, but a man can't.
4. A man in Buddhism can be a monk, but a woman can't.
5. I could write English alphabet handwriting when I was young, but now I can't.
1. I can play soccer four hour. I can't jump high.
ReplyDelete2. I can play athletics. I can't play football.
3. A woman can take care of his child, but the man can't.
4. A man can protect his family, but the woman can't.
5. I can play kids games, but naw I can't.
1. I can dance salsa, but I can’t dance tango.
ReplyDelete2. I can ride a bike, but I can’t skate.
3. Woman can wear dresses, but man cannot.
4. Man can lift heavier things , but woman cannot.
5. I could sleep with my parent, but I can’t do it now.
1. I can carry small bag but I can’t carried a big box.
ReplyDelete2. I can swim. I can't dive.
3. In family, a woman can be the boss, but a man cannot.
4. A man can fix a car, but a woman can not.
5. Two years ago, I couldn't drive a car. Now I can.
1. I can play games, but I can't play soccer.
ReplyDelete2. I can read English, but I can't read Chinese.
3. Women can give birth, but men can't.
4. Men can pee standing, but women can't.
5. I could do girls' up skirt , but I can't now.
Tan and Yeming may be looking for a parking space now.
ReplyDelete1. I can run 5 miles, but I can’t swim.
ReplyDelete2. Can you smell the fragrance? No, I can’t.
3. I can sky but I cannot snowboard.
4. Could you leave the package at the post office? Yes, I can until five today, but I can’t tomorrow.
5. You may have a break before test.
6. 1. Yesterday, I couldn’t run, it rained.
2.Yesterday, I couldn’t smell anything, but today I can.
3. Last year, I couldn’t understand some vocabulary, but now I can.
Answers.
1. I can run, but I can’t swim.
2. I can speak French, but I couldn’t speak Arabic.
3. Woman can be pregnant and a man cannot.
4. A man can lift heavy weight and can’t do it.
5. I could sleep and now, I can’t.