Supplementary Material

USE OF CAN
(Supplementary Material for Beta Intermediate Module)
We use can to express ability. We use cannot or cant to express inability.
a)

in the affirmative form, the order is:

subject

Can

Verb in infinitive

complement

Lisa
He
They
She

Can
Can
Can
Can

cook
speak
repair
understand

lasagna
English and Chinese
the computers in 2 hours
algebra

Yes,
Yes,

b)

in the negative form, the order is:

subject

Cant / cannot

Verb in infinitive

complement

No,

Lisa
He
They
She

Cant
Cant
Cannot
Cant

cook
speak
repair
understand

No,

c)

lasagna
any language except Spanish.
the computers fast
algebra

In the interrogative form, the order is:

wh word

Can

Subject

Verb in infinitive

complement

What languages
How fast
-

Can
Can
Can
Can

Lisa
He
They
She

cook
speak
repair
understand

lasagna

?
?
?
?

the computers
algebra

We can also use Can or Cant to ask for permission and to give or to deny permission:
Ask for permission

Give permission

Deny permission

Can I smoke?
Can I go to the bathroom?

Yes, you can smoke.

Yes, you can (go to the bathroom).

No, you cannot smoke.

No you cant (go to the bathroom).

EXERCISES:
I.
Put the following sentences in the correct order:
1.

you / do / can / many things / the new computer / with.

2.

________________________________________________________________________
A fireman / help / can / people in accidents.

3.

________________________________________________________________________
You / learn / English well / if you study a lot / can.

4.

________________________________________________________________________
? / I / use / telephone / your / can / please.

5.

________________________________________________________________________
In any country in the world / cant / consume steroids / athletes.

6.

________________________________________________________________________
Jerry / catch / in any episode / cant / Tom .
________________________________________________________________________
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7.

An adult / many things / cant / that children can do / do.

8.

________________________________________________________________________
Where / buy / I / can / something for a headache. / ?

9.

________________________________________________________________________
Open / please / can / the window / you / ?
________________________________________________________________________

II.

Answer the following questions:

E.g.: What typical beverages can you drink in Chile?
You can drink Chicha, Enguindado, Pisco, Mote con Huesillos, Mistela, Licor de Oro, Navegado,
etc.
1.

What can you do with a computer?

2.

________________________________________________________________________
Where can you buy cars?

3.

________________________________________________________________________
What can an Architect do?

4.

________________________________________________________________________
What languages can you learn at Tronwell?

5.

________________________________________________________________________
Can Santiago reduce its levels of pollution?

6.

________________________________________________________________________
What countries can put men in Space?

7.

________________________________________________________________________
What country can people dance Samba in?

8.

________________________________________________________________________
What food can you eat in Italy?
________________________________________________________________________

III.

Make the appropriate question according to the answers.

E.g.:
1.
No, you cant smoke here.
Can I smoke here please? ___________________________________________________
1.

Yes, I can speak German.

2.

________________________________________________________________________
You can find cheap restaurants downtown.
(Where) ________________________________________________________________

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3.

No Sir, you cant take photographs (at the museum).

4.

________________________________________________________________________
This machine can scan and photocopy documents, and it can print documents.

5.

(What) _________________________________________________________________
(The doctor) You can eat vegetables, fruit, and seafood. You cant eat sweets, pasta and meat.

6.

(What) _________________________________________________________________
You can visit Santa Lucia and San Cristbal Hills, the Civic Center, etc, in Santiago.

7.

(What places) ___________________________________________________________

Sorry, You cant use the car, son. You drink too much.

8.

________________________________________________________________________
Yes, Sir. You can pay with any credit card.

9.

________________________________________________________________________
You can call for Room Service around the clock (24 hours a day).
(Until what time) _________________________________________________________

10.

Go to Aisle 24. You can find all types of chocolates and sweets there.
(Where) ________________________________________________________________

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KEY CHECK
I.

II.

Put the following sentences in the correct order:

1.

you / do / can / many things / the new computer / with.

You can do many things with the new computer.

2.

A fireman / help / can / people in accidents

A fireman can help people in accidents

3.

You / learn / English well / if you study a lot / can.

You can learn English well if you study a lot.

4.

? / I / use / telephone / your / can / please.

Can I use your telephone , please?

5.

In any country in the world / cant / consume steroids / Athletes.

Athletes cant consume steroids in any country in the world.

6.

Jerry / catch / in any episode / cant / Tom .

Tom cant catch Jerry in any episode.

7.

An adult / many things / cant / that children can do / do.

An adult cant do many things that children can do.

8.

Where / buy / I / can / something for a headache. / ?

Where can I buy something for the headache?

9.

Open / please / can / the window / you / ?

Can you open the window, please?

Answer the following questions:

1.

What can you do with a computer?

You can type documents / play games / work / create programs / etc. with a computer

2.

Where can you buy cars?

You can buy cars at the car dealer.

3.

What can an Architect do?

An architect can design buildings / make plans.

4.

What languages can you learn at Tronwell?

You can learn English, German, Portuguese, French and Mandarin Chinese at Tronwell.

5.

Can Santiago reduce its levels of pollution?

No, it cant / Yes, it can.

6.

What country can put men in Space?

The USA can put men in Space.

7.

What country can people dance Samba in?

People can dance Samba in Brazil.

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8.
III.

What food can you eat in Italy?

You can eat pasta, pizza, lasagna, prosciutto, etc.

Make the appropriate question according to the answer.

1.

Yes, I can speak German.

Can you speak German?

2.

You can find cheap restaurants downtown.

(Where) Where can I find cheap restaurants?

3.

No Sir, you cant take photographs (at the museum).

Can I take pictures?

4.

This machine can scan and photocopy documents, and it can print documents.
(What) What can this machine do?

5.

(the doctor) You can eat vegetables, fruit, and seafood. You cant eat sweets, pasta and meat.
(What) What things can I eat?

6.

In Santiago? You can visit Santa Lucia and San Cristbal Hills, the Civic Center, etc.
(What places) What places can I visit in Santiago?

7.

Sorry, You cant use the car, son. You drink too much.
Can I use the car, dad?

8.

Yes, Sir. You can pay with any credit card.

Can I pay with a credit card.

9.

You can call for Room Service round the clock (24 hours a day).
(Until what time) Until what time can I call for Room Service?

10.

Go to Aisle 24. You can find all types of chocolates and sweets there.
(Where) Where can I find chocolates?