CAN/ CAN’T- PART 2: other uses

In a previous post on CAN/ CAN’T, we studied how to express abilities but CAN/CAN’T has more possible meanings.

1. We use ‘can’ to ask for and give permission. Read this dialogue as an example:

Liza, eight years old, is asking her mother for permission to use the computer…

Liza:	Please mum, can I use the computer?
Her mother:	No, you can’t. It’s time to go to bed.
Liza:	Can I read a story before I sleep?
Her mother:	Sure! But try to sleep early.
Liza:	Thanks a lot, mummy.

Complete exercises 1 and 2
Can’t expresses a prohibition so we commonly use it to describe rules and regulations at work, at school, in a city, at home… Complete this exercise.
2. We use ‘can’ in offers , requests and possibilities.

• Can I help?
• Can you close the window?
• You can use a black or a blue pen.

exercise on requests, offers and possibilities
Remember:

Impersonal Can

Sometimes You can and Can you…? are impersonal and refer to people in general.

• You can see many stars at night from here. (= people in general can see many stars)

It doesn’t necessarily refer to you but people in general.

• You can’t run naked in the middle of the street.

Not necessarily saying YOU can’t run naked in the middle of the street but in general it is not possible for anyone.

Now, let’s put all the previous information into practice. Complete exercises 1, 2, 3 , 4, 5