Grammar A1: Ability with Can and Can't

1. Positive: Use can + base verb to talk about ability.
Example: I can swim.

2. Negative: Use can't (cannot) + base verb to say you are not able to do something.
Example: She can't drive.

3. Questions & short answers: Put Can at the start of the question: Can you + verb...?
Example: Can you speak English? – Yes, I can. / No, I can't.

4. No '-s': 'Can' stays the same with every subject (he/she/it). Never add 's'.
Example: He can sing. (NOT: He cans sing).

Leo is eight. Lily is his sister. They both like music. He swims well, so he ____ swim. He ____ ride a bike yet; he always falls. Lily plays the piano well, so she ____ play it. She ____ swim at all. "____ you speak French?" I ask Leo. "No, I ____," he says.