Preguntas con can: orden y pronunciación

Build clear, confident English with can. Learn the exact word order for yes/no questions, natural pronunciation and intonation, and short answers like yes, I can and no, I can’t or no, I cannot. With simple examples, you’ll speak faster and sound natural.

How do yes/no questions with can work?

Can has superpowers in questions: you don’t need do or does. You only move can to the beginning and keep a rising intonation at the end.

What is the word order with can?

• Can + subject + base verb + complement + question mark.
• I can swim. → Can I swim?
• Can she swim in the ocean? Or Can she swim in the river?
• Elements: can (at the beginning), subject, verb, complement, question mark.

How do you form short answers with can?

• Affirmative: Yes, + subject + can. Example: Yes, she can.
• Negative (contracted): No, + subject + can’t. Example: No, she can’t. Stress the final n sound.
• Negative (full form): No, + subject + cannot. Example: No, she cannot.

Which subjects can you use with can?

• I: Can I swim? Yes, I can. / No, I can’t.
• You: Can you swim? Yes, you can. / No, you can’t.
• She/He/It: Can she/he/it swim? Yes, she/he/it can. / No, she/he/it can’t.
• We/They: Can we/they swim? Yes, we/they can. / No, we/they can’t.

How do you say and answer can-questions?

Sound natural by controlling speed, stress, and intonation. Keep your voice up at the end and mark the question with a question mark.

Where is the stress and intonation?

• Raise your intonation at the end of the question.
• Stress the last word: Can you swim?
• Say the first two words fast in “Can I …?” for natural rhythm.

How do you pronounce can’t and cannot?

• Can’t: emphasize the final n sound: “I can’t.”
• Cannot: use the full form: “No, she cannot.”
• Use either in negatives: “No, he can’t.” or “No, he cannot.”

Which punctuation do you need?

• Always add a question mark at the end.
• Match it with a rising intonation.

How do perception verbs work with can?

Perception verbs follow the same pattern. Ask with can, keep the base verb, and answer with can, can’t, or cannot.

What examples show see, taste, touch, hear, smell?

• See: Can I see you? No, I can’t.
• Taste: Can I taste the ice cream? No, I cannot.
• Touch: Can I touch the grass? No, I can’t.
• Hear: Can I hear the conversations? Yes, I can.
• Smell: Can I smell the flowers? No, I can’t.

What can you practice now?

• Write questions about abilities: Can you speak French? Can you speak German?
• Answer with can for affirmative. Answer with can’t or cannot for negative.
• Practice rising intonation at the end of each question.

Ready to try? Post your can-questions in the comments and answer your classmates using can, can’t, or cannot.