Can you swim?
Talk about your abilities with can and can't — and use can to ask questions, make requests and ask for permission.
In this lesson, you will learn...
can / can't. Talk about what you know how to do.
Questions. Can you swim? Yes, I can. / No, I can't.
The three uses of can. Ability, request, and permission.
Do you remember?
A quick review of adverbs of frequency.
I can, I can't
Ability = can / can't + verb. It never changes: I can, she can, they can. Tap a line to listen.
▶ Teacher Thais's voiceWhat can you do?
Question = Can + subject + verb? Short answers: Yes, I can. / No, I can't. Tap a line to listen.
▶ Teacher Thais's voiceCan and can't
Watch and listen. Then say what you can and can't do.
can & can't
Everything from the video, in one place. The good news: can is the same for everybody.
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| + | can + base verb | I can swim. |
| − | can't + base verb | She can't cook. |
| ? | Can + subject + verb? | Can you dance? |
| Short answers | — | Yes, I can. / No, I can't. |
can nunca leva -s: he can swim — nunca “he cans”. E o verbo depois vem sempre na forma base.
Three uses of can
Everything from the video, in one place. Same word, three different jobs.
| Use | Example | Answer |
|---|
A estrutura nunca muda: Can + sujeito + verbo na forma base?
Listen & echo
Play a sentence, then say it right away — copy the teacher's rhythm and melody, like an echo. Record yourself and compare.
Ouça uma vez e repita logo em seguida, imitando o ritmo e a “melodia” da frase — como um eco.
Can you write it right?
Play each sentence and type what you hear.
Choose the correct answer
Nice work!
Now you can say what you can and can't do. See you in Part B!