Cómo pronunciar can't y cannot correctamente

Master negative sentences with can confidently: learn when to use can’t or cannot, how stress changes meaning, and how to talk about abilities and senses. Build clarity and natural pronunciation while avoiding common errors.

What are negative sentences with can?

Negative sentences with can use can + not in two valid forms: cannot and can’t. Both have the same meaning and work with all pronouns: I, you, he, she, it, we, they. After the negative element, use the main action (base verb).

• I cannot sing. I can’t sing. Both are correct.
• You cannot sing. You can’t sing. Same meaning.
• He cannot sing. He can’t sing. Works the same with he, she, it.
• We cannot sing. We can’t sing. No change with we and they.

Which pronouns use can’t/cannot?

• I: I can’t sing. I cannot sing.
• You: You can’t sing. You cannot sing.
• He/She/It: He can’t sing. She cannot sing. It can’t sing.
• We/They: We can’t sing. They cannot sing.

How do can’t and cannot change pronunciation and emphasis?

Pronunciation changes the focus and the intention. Where you place stress matters:

• I can sing: focus on the action. Sing.
• I can’t sing: focus on the negative element. Can’t.
• I cannot sing: focus on not. Not.

The same pattern applies to other verbs and subjects:

• She can dance: Dance.
• She can’t dance: Can’t.
• She cannot dance: Not.

Where should you place stress?

• Affirmative: emphasize the action. I can sing. Sing.
• Negative with can’t: emphasize can’t. I can’t sing. Can’t.
• Negative with cannot: emphasize not. I cannot sing. Not.
• These variations help transmit different intentions.

How is the structure built and what mistakes to avoid?

Use this structure for negative sentences:

• subject + negative element (can’t/cannot) + verb + complement.
• Example: I can’t sing very well. She can’t sing very well.

Key rule: can doesn’t need extra help to form negatives. Do not add don’t.

• Incorrect: I don’t can sing very well.
• Incorrect: I don’t can’t sing very well.
• Correct: I cannot sing very well. Correct: I can’t sing very well.

How to use can’t with verbs of perception?

Use can’t with the five senses to talk about what you cannot perceive:

• See: I can’t see you.
• Taste: I can’t taste the ice cream.
• Touch: I can’t touch the grass.
• Hear: I can’t hear the conversations.
• Smell: I can’t smell the flowers.

What key vocabulary and examples stand out?

• cannot / can’t: two negative forms with the same meaning.
• stress: the word you emphasize to change focus and intention.
• negative element: can’t or cannot in the structure.
• subject + negative element + verb + complement: core pattern.
• verbs of perception: see, taste, touch, hear, smell.
• examples: I can’t sing. I cannot sing. She can’t dance. I can’t see you.

Want to practice? Share two sentences with cannot and two with can’t, and mark the stressed word in each. I’ll read your comments and give feedback.