Intermediate Grammar – Modal Verb “can”

Hi, hi, hi.

Here we are again!

Welcome to today’s grammar class! Are you ready for it? Quick, go and get a pen and a notebook!

This will be an intermediate class on using the modal verb “can”.  If you are not sure of your English level, take our test!

You can find all of this information, plus speaking exercises, writing exercises, vocabulary exercises and more on the ABA English Course Unit 50 “A Brilliant Idea”. Click here to sign up for free.

In case you forgot, we taught you all about modal verbs in Unit 49. Find it HERE!

Modal Verb “Can”

It is used to talk about general ability.

Examples:

“I can swim”

“He can dance”

It is also used to talk about possibility.

Examples:

“I can come to the party on Friday”

“You can buy some bread today”

“He can draw anything”

As you can see, we do not add -s for the third person singular.

Modal verb: can – negative

Can has two negative forms. In the first form, we add “not” and we put “can” and the word “not” together: “cannot”. In the second form, we drop the “n” and we replace the “o” with an apostrophe: “can’t”. This is the contracted form.

Examples:

“I can’t drive a car”

“They cannot dance very well”

Perfect! You have just reviewed how to use the modal verb “can”.
In Unit 50 “A Brilliant Idea”, you will get to know Caroline and Jane. Discover Caroline’s great plan to live like a queen! By watching the ABA Film, you will practice your listening comprehension. Record your voice and compare phrases to improve your speaking and learn how to write correctly. You will also gain fluency by interpreting roles and then you will learn the grammar and new vocabulary.

So remember: if you enjoyed this lesson, don’t forget to sign up! (it’s free!)