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General English · A1

Can and can’t: ability, possibility and permission

Say what you can do, what is possible, and ask for permission.

What you will learn

  • Use can with the base verb for every subject.
  • Make negatives, questions and short answers.
  • Understand ability, possibility and permission from context.

Can biror ishni qila olish, imkoniyat yoki ruxsatni bildiradi. Can’t esa qila olmaslik yoki ruxsat yo‘qligini bildiradi. Keyingi fe’l asosiy shaklda keladi.

Can has the same form with I, you, he, she, it, we and they. Put the base verb directly after it: she can swim. To make a negative, use cannot or can’t. For a question, put can before the subject. The situation tells you whether can describes a skill, something possible, or permission.

Grammar Tables

On small screens, swipe tables sideways.

One pattern for every subject
TypePatternExample
Affirmative / daraksubject + can + base verbShe can dance.
Negative / inkorsubject + cannot / can’t + base verbShe can’t dance.
Question / savolCan + subject + base verb?Can she dance?
Information questionquestion word + can + subject + base verb?Where can we sit?
Three common meanings
MeaningExampleContext
Ability / qobiliyatI can sing.I have the skill / qila olaman
Possibility / imkoniyatWe can take the bus.There is a bus available / avtobus bor
Permission / ruxsatYou can use this chair.It is allowed / ruxsat bor
Short answers
QuestionYesNo
Can you cook?Yes, I can.No, I can’t.
Can he drive?Yes, he can.No, he can’t.
Can I sit here?Yes, you can.No, you can’t.

Examples

Ability

My little sister can count to twenty.

Kichkina singlim yigirmagacha sanay oladi.

Lack of ability

I can’t play the violin.

Men skripka chala olmayman.

Possibility

The shop is open. We can buy bread there.

Do‘kon ochiq. U yerdan non olishimiz mumkin.

Permission

Can I open the window? Yes, you can.

Derazani ochsam bo‘ladimi? Ha, mumkin.

Request

Can you help me with this box, please?

Iltimos, bu quti bilan menga yordam bera olasizmi?

Common Mistakes

Avoid: He cans swim.

Use: He can swim.

Can never adds -s for he/she/it.

Avoid: I can to cook.

Use: I can cook.

No to between can and the base verb.

Avoid: Do you can read this?

Use: Can you read this?

Can forms its own question; do is not needed.

Avoid: She doesn’t can come.

Use: She can’t come.

Use can’t, not doesn’t can.

Practice & Feedback

Practise freely. Scores stay on this page only and reset when you leave or reload. Feedback appears after checking each exercise.

1 · Choose the form

Choose the answer that fits the meaning and grammar.

1. She ___ speak three languages.
2. I can ___ a bicycle.
3. ___ your brother swim?
4. We ___ come today. We are too busy. (negative / inkor)
5. He can ___ this heavy bag.
6. Can they sing? Yes, they ___.
7. Can you ski? No, I ___.
8. Where ___ we park?
9. My dog can ___ very fast.
10. You ___ use my pen. I don’t need it now. (permission / ruxsat)

Answer every question to check this exercise.

2 · Complete the structure

Type only the missing word or words. Read the clue carefully.

1. She can ___ well. (dance)
2. He ___ swim. (cannot: contraction / qisqartma)
3. ___ I use your phone? (can: permission / ruxsat)
4. Can she cook? Yes, she ___.
5. Can they come? No, they ___. (full form / to‘liq shakl)
6. What can you ___? (see)
7. My mother can ___ a car. (drive)
8. Can I take a photo? Yes, ___ can. (pronoun / olmosh)
9. We can’t ___ you. Please speak louder. (hear)
10. Can you ___ the door, please? (close)

Answer every question to check this exercise.

3 · Ability or permission?

Choose the answer that fits the meaning and grammar.

1. He knows how to play chess. / U shaxmat o‘ynashni biladi.
2. Ask permission to leave / Ketishga ruxsat so‘rang.
3. A sign says parking is forbidden / Belgi to‘xtash taqiqlanganini aytadi.
4. The library is open and you have time / Kutubxona ochiq, vaqtingiz bor.
5. Ask for help politely / Muloyim yordam so‘rang.
6. She has never learned to swim / U suzishni o‘rganmagan.
7. Choose a correct question / To‘g‘ri savol.
8. Can I sit here? Give permission / Ruxsat bering.
9. Can your parents come? Give a negative reply / Inkor javob.
10. Choose the full negative / To‘liq inkor.

Answer every question to check this exercise.

Review

  • Can never changes for the subject. No -s and no to.
  • Can’t/cannot is negative. Can + subject makes a question.
  • Say one thing you can do and ask someone for permission.
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