A1 Grammar Lesson 8

UNIT 8 – Grammar Rules

8A — Can and Can’t (Permission, Ability, Possibility)

We use can and can’t to talk about:

  • What is allowed (permission)
    Examples:
    You can sit here.
    You can’t park there.
  • What is possible or not possible
    Examples:
    We can eat outside.
    He can’t come today.
  • What someone knows how to do
    Examples:
    I can play the guitar.
    She can’t swim.

✅ Can is the same for all subjects:

I / you / he / she / it / we / they = can / can’t

Word Order in Questions

Can Subject Verb Answer
Can she help us? Yes, she can / No, she can’t.
Can we go with them? Yes, we can / No, we can’t.
Can they play the piano? Yes, they can / No, they can’t.
⚠ Note
  • You can also use “you” in a general way
  • You can’t smoke in the library (= people in general)

Quiz 1