Technology

Modal Can-Can’t

What can you do? Can you play soccer?

We use the modal Can to express talent or abilities

For example:

We use the modal can or can’t depending on the kind of sentence.

Subject + can + the verb in simple form + the complement. 

Examples:

Spiderman can climb buildings.
Every time I have homework, I use my computer. I can always find information on the internet.

Subject + can’t + the verb in simple form + complement.

Examples:

Spiderman can’t turn invisible.
My grandmother can’t use a laptop, so she can’t go on Google. I think I have to help her a lot.

Can + Subject + the verb in simple form + complement + ?

Examples:

Can Spiderman shoot spider webs from wrists?
- “Yes, he can” if the answer is affirmative.
- “No, he can’t” if the answer is negative.
Can you connect to your classes on Zoom?
- Yes, I can. But sometimes I can’t when internet connection is poor

WH word + can + Subject + the verb in simple form + complement + ?

Examples:

What can Spiderman do very fast?
- He can get dressed very fast.
What can you do with technology?
- I can communicate via social media.
- I can go on the internet.
- I can use GPS.
- I can play video games too

Hi Erick, what are you doing?
Oh, hi Susan! I’m reading an article about robots.
Oh, that’s interesting.
Yes, it is. Here says that some hospitals in Europe, the US. and Japan are using robots to help nurses and doctors.
Really? Tell me, what can they do?
Well, robots can take things to different parts of the hospital. They can lift people and objects.
Can a robot be a nurse?
Not exactly, but they can check that people feel OK.
Wow! What else can they do to help people?
They can give food, drinks and medicine to people.
That’s great! I know that robots can do difficult and dirty jobs, they can remember a lot of information, they never feel tired, so they can work 24/7… but in my opinion, robots can’t replace nurses.
You’re right! A robot can’t smile and be friendly because it doesn’t have feelings. It can’t understand your problems; it can’t hold your hand.
Well, thanks to computer chips, we can have intelligent machines to make our lives easier.
Of course! The development of new technologies helps to save lives, it improves work and makes the world better.
I would like to have my own robot.
Yeah, me too!