Can
Explain
He can play football.
He can not play football.
Subject + can + verb + noun / noun phrase
I can speak Japanese.
He can play the piano.
They can play cards.
Check out the blogs for more on determiners.
She can use a sewing machine.
I can draw a dog.
My mum can make risotto.
Vocabulary
Verbs
With
Subject + present tense verb + with + noun / noun phrase
I pay with credit card.
I eat with chopsticks.
I see with glasses.
Present - positive
Subject + can + verb + noun / noun phrase
can / reserve / I / a table.
I can reserve a table.
speak / My mum / can / English
Answer
My mum can speak English.
with / pay / can / You / credit card or cash
Answer
You can pay with credit card or cash.
You / that train / take / St. Paul's Cathedral / to
Answer
You can take that train to St. Paul's Cathedral.
good / The waiter / red wine / recommend / can
Answer
The waiter can recommend a good red wine.
have / She / chocolates / two / can
Answer
She can have two chocolates.
Present - negative
Subject + can not + verb + noun / noun phrase
Subject + can't + verb + noun / noun phrase
Practice
can / speak / I / not / German.
I can not speak German.
not / reserve / You / can / to / a table
Answer
You can not reserve a table.
have / white wine / I / can't
Answer
I can't have white wine.
pay / can't / You / cash / with
Answer
You can't pay with cash.
Past tense - positive
Explain
Subject + could + verb + noun / noun phrase
Past
Now
Future
I could speak Italian.
It is in the past so means that you now can not speak Italian.
Now
Past
I can't speak Italian.
Future
I could speak Italian.
I could speak Italian but now I can't.
Now
Past
I can speak Italian.
Future
I could speak Italian.
I could speak Italian and now I can.
Why is number 3 wrong?
Answer
If you say you 'could' do something it means you 'can not' do it now. It is odd to say you 'could' do something if you still can.
Practice
Subject + could + verb + noun / noun phrase
could / play / I / golf.
I could play golf.
Chinese / I / could / speak
Answer
I could speak Chinese
could / make / I / bread
Answer
I could make bread.
skateboard / My brother / could / ride / a
Answer
My brother could ride a skateboard.
Ago
Five years ago
Three years ago
One year ago
Twenty years ago
Ten years ago
Four years ago
Two years ago
Now
Unsure how long ago?
Use 'about': about a year ago, about two years ago, about four years ago.
You can also say: a long time ago, ages ago for times far in the past.
Examples
Five years ago I could speak French.
I could make pizza a year ago.
About three years ago my friend could use chopsticks but now she can't.
Past - negative
Now
Past
Future
I could not speak Italian.
I couldn't speak Italian.
Now
Past
I can speak Italian.
Future
I could not speak Italian.
I couldn't speak Italian.
I couldn't speak Italian but now I can.