can |
cannot / can't |
|---|---|
 |
 |
Birds can fly. |
Horses can't fly, but they can run
very fast. |
The modal verb can for ability |
|||
Tense |
Positive Form + (can) |
Negative Form - (cannot or can't) |
Question Form ? (can / can't) |
Present |
I can speak German quite well. |
I can't speak Chinese. |
Can you speak English? Can't you find the practice forum? |
Past |
Can becomes could. I could only speak English when I was a child. |
Cannot or can't become could not or couldn't. I couldn't speak any German when I came here. |
Can or can't become could or couldn't. Could you have taken German lessons before you came here? Couldn't you get any help with your German when you arrived? |
Future |
Can becomes to "be able to " I will be able to speak German fluently by the time I leave Germany. |
Cannot or can't become will not be able to or won't be able to. I won't be able to go on holiday next year. |
Can or can't become will be able to or won't be able to. Will you be able to go on holiday this year? Why won't you be able to go on holiday next year? |
 |
Can / Could |
 |
Full form |
Short form |
|
Cannot |
> |
Can't |
Could not |
> |
Couldn't |
Will not be able to |
> |
Won't be able to |
