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Grammar Worksheet

Can and Can’t: Ability and Permission

A1–A2 can / can’t + base verb
Explanation

Use can to talk about ability (something you are able to do) and permission (something you are allowed to do).

Use can’t (cannot) for inability or prohibition.

Form: subject + can / can’t + base verb (never add ‘to’ or an -s ending)

Form
Form Ability example Permission example
Positive (+) She can swim very well. You can sit here.
Negative (–) He can’t drive yet. You can’t park here.
Question (?) Can you cook? Can I open the window?

⚠  Never add ‘to’ after ‘can’:  ✗ She can to swim  →  ✓ She can swim

⚠  Never add -s for he/she/it:  ✗ He cans speak French  →  ✓ He can speak French

Examples
  1. I can speak two languages.
  2. She can’t drive — she’s never had lessons.
  3. Can you help me? This bag is very heavy.
  4. He can play the guitar really well.
  5. You can’t use your phone in the exam.
  6. Can I open the window? It’s very hot.
  7. They can’t come to the party on Saturday.
  8. We can park here — it’s free on weekends.
Common Mistakes
Exercises
1 Can or can’t?

Write ‘can’ or ‘can’t’ to complete each sentence.

She _____ swim — she learned when she was four.  →  can

  1. I come tonight — I have to work late.
  2. you help me carry this? It’s very heavy.
  3. He drive yet. He hasn’t passed his test.
  4. She speak three languages — English, French, and Spanish.
  5. You smoke in here. It’s a non-smoking building.
2 Correct the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Write the correct sentence.

  1. She can speaks three languages.
  2. Can you to open the door?
  3. He can’t doing his homework.
  4. I cannot to understand this.
3 Write the sentence

Use the prompts to write a sentence with ‘can’ or ‘can’t’.

she / swim / very fast  →  She can swim very fast.

  1. I / not / play / the guitar
  2. can / he / drive?
  3. we / not / use / phones / in class
  4. she / speak / Japanese / a little
  5. can / you / help / me / please?
4 About you

Write T (true) or F (false) for you. If false, write the correct sentence.

  1. I can cook well.   
  2. I can drive.   
  3. I can play a musical instrument.   
  4. I can run 5km without stopping.   
  5. I can read in two languages.   
5 Write the question

Write a ‘can’ question for each answer.

Yes, I can play the piano.  →  Can you play the piano?

  1. No, she can’t drive.
  2. Yes, he can swim very fast.
  3. Yes, we can come on Saturday.
  4. No, I can’t speak German.
Speaking Activity

Ask your partner about their abilities. Then share something interesting with the class.

Ask follow-up questions: How well? Since when? Who taught you? Would you like to learn?