Can and can't worksheets

45 worksheets, 1 lesson, 1 vocabulary deck and 1 shadowing script · Modals & verb patterns

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Grammar · Can / can'tGrammar explained: can / can'tKids · Starters15 minFree

Grammar · Can / couldCan / could: asking for things politelyA125 minFree

Grammar · Can / can'tCan / can't: sign up for summer campA120 minFree

Tests · HalloweenHalloween: unit test on there is / are and canA140 minFree

Grammar · CouldCould: what could you do when you were six?A225 minFree

Grammar · Can, could & be able toCan, could & be able to: be able to in every tenseB125 minFree

Grammar · Permission & polite requestsPermission & polite requests: a first day at work in SingaporeB130 minFree

Can / can't worksheets

45 printable worksheets with answer keys; the 24 most used, easiest level first.

Grammar · Can / can'tCan / can't: I can swimKids · Starters15 minPremium

Grammar · Can / can'tGrammar explained: can / can'tKids · Starters15 minFree

Grammar · Can / can'tCan / can't: I'm a cow. I can't fly!Kids · Starters15 minPremium

Grammar · Can / can'tCan / can't: what can animals do?Kids · Starters15 minPremium

Grammar · Can / can'tCan / can't: Can you swim? Yes, I can.Kids · Starters15 minPremium

Grammar · Can / can'tCan / can't: he can, she canKids · Starters15 minPremium

Grammar · Can / can'tCan / can't: at the zooKids · Starters15 minPremium

Grammar · Can / can'tCan / can't: I can play soccerKids · Starters15 minPremium

Grammar · Can / can'tCan / can't: reviewKids · Starters15 minPremium

Vocabulary · SportsSports: I can play tennisKids · Starters20 minPremium

Grammar · HalloweenCan / can't: what can a bat do?Kids · Starters15 minPremium

Tests · HalloweenUnit test: Halloween costumes, have got and canKids · Starters25 minPremium

Grammar · Can / can'tCan / can't: Can I have …, please?Kids · Starters20 minPremium

Grammar · Can / can'tCan / can't: Can I have some birthday cake?Kids · Starters25 minPremium

Grammar · Can / can'tCan / can't: Can I …? in the classroomKids · Starters25 minPremium

Vocabulary · Music & artMusic & art: Kofi's musical familyKids · Starters25 minPremium

Grammar · ThanksgivingThanksgiving: Can I have ...? Could you pass ...? Shall I ...?Kids · Movers25 minPremium

Crafts · Can / can'tCan you …? fortune tellerKids · Movers30 minPremium

Crafts · TechnologyDesign a robot and describe itKids · Flyers35 minPremium

Grammar · Can / couldCan / could: asking for things politelyA125 minFree

Grammar · Can / can'tCan / can't: sign up for summer campA120 minFree

Grammar · Can / can'tGrammar explained: can / can'tA120 minPremium

Grammar · Can / can'tGrammar explained: can / can't – questions and short answersA120 minPremium

Grammar · Can / can'tCan / can't: I can swim, she can singA115 minPremium

See all 45 Can / can't worksheets →

Can / can't lessons

1 ready lesson for the four skills: teach on the board, set online or print.

Reading · Short storyThe little turkey who wanted to helpA gentle picture story: on Thanksgiving morning Tiny the little turkey wants to help on Lily's farm; children read, tick pictures, circle yes or no, write the words and say what they can do to help at home.Kids · Starters20 minTeach · Online · PrintPremium

Reading · 1 →

Can / can't vocabulary

1 word deck with meanings, examples and pronunciation: flip, quiz, print as flashcards or play as a game.

All about meCan you swim? Skills and abilitiescanswimcookA115 wordsPremium Word list

Open the vocabulary library →Play them as games →

Can / can't shadowing

Listen, repeat, record and compare: short scripts for pronunciation and fluency.

I can swim!Kids · 5 linesPremiumI can swim

All shadowing scripts →

About Can / can't

Can is a modal verb used for ability (She can swim), permission (You can go now) and requests (Can you help me?). It has the same form for every person, with no -s in the third person, and is followed by the base verb without to. The negative is can't or cannot, and questions invert: Can you ride a bike? – Yes, I can.

It is one of the first modals taught, at Kids level and A1, and extended at A2 with could for past ability and polite requests. Typical errors include *He cans, *I can to swim and *Do you can…?, plus listening problems: in positive sentences can is usually weak /kən/, while can't keeps a full vowel (/kɑːnt/ in British English).

This page contains printable can and can't worksheets with answer keys, which you can print as PDFs or set online via a class link.

Teaching tips: Can / can't

Run a talents survey (Can you whistle? Can you touch your toes?) and have learners report back: Maria can juggle.
Drill weak and strong forms so learners hear the difference: I can /kən/ swim vs I can't /kɑːnt/ swim.
Use animal flashcards with young learners: A fish can swim, but it can't fly.
Watch for *can to and *cans: can is followed directly by the base verb and never takes -s.

Questions teachers ask

Should I teach can for ability and permission at the same time?

It is clearer to start with ability at Kids and A1 level, then add permission and requests (Can I open the window?) once the form is secure.

What's the difference between can and could?

Could is the past of can for general ability (I could read when I was four) and a more polite choice for requests: Could you close the door, please?

How do learners tell can and can't apart when listening?

Through stress and vowel quality: in positive sentences can is unstressed /kən/, while can't is stressed with a full vowel. Minimal-pair listening drills help a great deal.