Can - Abilities

Learn how to use the modal can to talk about abilities.
Sound Grammar

Can - Abilities

Watch four conversations using the grammar on elllo.org.

Answer the following grammar questions.

Can – Abilities

Point 1: We use can to talk about abilities – things someone is able to do.
  1. I can play tennis.
  2. She can speak Italian.
  3. They can build a computer.
  4. This dictionary can hold one million words.
Point 2: The negative form of can can be written as cannot, can not, or can’t. All three mean the same thing, but can’t is the most common in conversation.
  1. I can’t go tonight.
  2. She cannot speak German.
  3. I can not get an internet connection.
  4. My car cannot go very fast.
Point 3: We can use adverbs to describe ability. Well means high ability. Not at all means no ability.
  • Can you speak Japanese well?
    • I cannot speak it very well. I can speak just a little.
  • Can you cook?
    • No, I cannot cook at all.
Point 4: We use good at, bad at, or terrible at to describe ability at an activity.
  • Are you good at sports?
    • Yes, I am pretty good at sports.
  • Are you a good dancer?
    • No, I am not good at all. I am terrible at dancing.
Point 5: We can also use adjectives like good, great, and poor to describe ability. Great means very high ability. Poor means low ability.
  1. She is a good singer.
  2. He is a great dancer.
  3. I am not a good student.
  4. I am a poor cook. (I am not good at cooking.)

About the Teacher

My name is Todd Beuckens and I am an ESL teacher in Japan.

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