APIE
A1CEFRGrammar12 min

Helping at Home: Can and Can't

Can and can't (ability)

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🧹 A1 English • 12 Mins

Helping at Home: Can and Can't

Learn how to talk about your abilities, offer help, and make polite requests at home.

🏡
📋

How to use this lesson

🧑‍🏫 For Teacher:

  • Teach the 4 rules with the example sentences in 5 minutes, then give learners 7 minutes to finish the exercises.
  • Check answers together with the whole class by reading the sentences aloud.

🎒 For Learner:

  • Read the 4 rule rows carefully and look at the housework words.
  • Do the 12 questions from 1 to 12, then read each correct sentence aloud.
A teacher and a student looking at a checklist together in a bright room. No text.

✨ Key Words: Housework & Action

🧼 clean 🫧 wash 🍳 cook 🛏️ tidy 👕 clothes 🍽️ plate 🌻 garden 🤝 help 🗣️ ask 📦 carry

📌 Grammar Rules

Always use the plain verb!
1

I can

Use can + plain verb for something you are able to do.

"I can cook dinner."
2

I can't

Use can't + plain verb for something you are not able to do.

"My brother can't carry the big bags."
3

Ask for help

Use Can you ...? to ask someone to help you.

"Can you help me in the garden, please?"
4

Offer help

Use Can I ...? to offer to help someone.

"Can I tidy your room?"

Practice Arena (12 Questions)

🎯 Part 1: Choose the correct sentence

1. Ability: Which sentence is correct?

[plain]
____ a. I can wash the plates. ____ b. I can to wash the plates. ____ c. I can washing the plates.

2. She can't: Which sentence is correct?

[not]
____ a. She can't clean the garden. ____ b. She can't cleans the garden. ____ c. She not can clean the garden.

3. Offer help: Which sentence is correct?

[offer]
____ a. Can I carry this box for you? ____ b. Can I to carry this box for you? ____ c. I can carry your box?
✍️ Part 2: Rewrite as polite requests using "Can you ..., please?"

4. "Wash the plates."

[please]

Rewrite this command into a polite request using "Can you":

____ (Type your polite request here...)

5. "Tidy the clothes."

[please]

Rewrite this command into a polite request using "Can you":

____ (Type your polite request here...)

6. "Help in the garden."

[please]

Rewrite this command into a polite request using "Can you":

____ (Type your polite request here...)
✏️ Part 3: Fill in the gaps
A little girl trying to lift a heavy bag.

7. Offer to cook:

[offer using "can"]
____ (...) cook the rice for dinner?

8. Inability:

[not able]
My little sister is five. She ____ (...) carry the heavy bags.

9. Request for help:

[ask using "can"]
____ (...) help me clean the room, please?
🔍 Part 4: Correct the error in short messages

10. Find and fix the wrong word:

[plain]
"Hi Mum! I can helps you cook dinner today."

Write only the correct word to replace "helps":

____ (Correct word...)

11. Fix the question to make a correct offer using "Can":

[offer]
"Can you I wash your clothes?"

Rewrite the whole sentence correctly:

____ (Write the full sentence...)

12. Make a polite request:

[ask]
ask Dad for help

Write a polite request using "Can you ..., please?":

____ (Write the full sentence...)
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