What Can You Do? (J7A)
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EN: Use 'Can you + action verb?' to ask if someone has the ability to do something. The verb after 'can' must be in its base form.
Can you swim?
EN: In English, when playing a musical instrument, we always use the definite article 'the' before the instrument (e.g., play the piano, play the guitar). This is different from playing sports, where no article is used (e.g., play soccer).
EN: Use 'can' to talk about things you are able to do. Put 'also' before the main verb to add more information.
I can also play the piano.
EN: Use 'can' to show ability (what you are able to do) and 'can't' (cannot) to show inability (what you are not able to do). Use 'but' to connect these two contrasting ideas.
I can swim, but I can't ride a bike.
EN: Use 'can' followed by a base verb (like 'run') to show that someone is able to do an action. Do not add '-s' or '-ed' to the verb after 'can'.
Emma can speak English.
EN: We use 'Can you + verb?' to ask if someone has the ability to do something. The verb after 'can' must be in its base form (no -s, -ed, or -ing).
Can you play the guitar?
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is very common to add the person's name (like 'Ryan') at the end of a question to make the conversation feel more personal, friendly, and direct.
EN: Use 'can' to express ability (being able to do something) and 'can't' (cannot) to express inability. These are followed by the base form of the verb.
I can speak English, but I can't speak Japanese.
EN: Use 'can' followed by a basic action word (verb) to show that someone is able to do something. 'Can' does not change its form, no matter who the subject is.
Leo can play the drums.
EN: To ask about someone's ability, we start the question with the helper verb 'Can', followed by the subject (who we are talking about) and the action word (verb) in its basic form.
Can he play soccer?
EN: In English, when we talk about doing something in a specific language, we use the preposition 'in' (e.g., 'write in Japanese', 'speak in English').
EN: Use 'too' at the end of a positive sentence to mean 'also' or 'as well'. It is usually preceded by a comma in writing, though it is optional.
I can speak English, too.
EN: Use 'Can we + verb' to make a suggestion or ask for permission to do something together.
Can we play soccer after school?
EN: In American schools, 'talent shows' are very popular events where students can showcase their unique skills, such as singing, dancing, magic tricks, or playing instruments, in a supportive and fun environment.
EN: Use 'can' followed by the base form of a verb to express ability (being able to do something).
I can play the piano.
EN: Use 'can' followed by the base form of a verb to express ability or possibility. When adding 'all' to refer to everyone in the group, place it directly after 'can' (can all + verb).
We can all speak English.
EN: We use 'be verb + verb-ing' (present continuous) to talk about plans or events that are already decided for the future.
We are having a party tonight.
EN: In Western schools (especially in the US and UK), a 'talent show' is a very common and popular event. Students of all ages are encouraged to perform on stage, showing off skills like singing, dancing, playing instruments, or doing magic tricks. It is a friendly, non-competitive way to build self-confidence.
EN: Use 'can' followed by a basic action word (verb) to show that someone is able to do something or allowed to do something.
Leo can play the drums.
EN: In Western schools, 'talent shows' are very popular events where students are encouraged to share any unique skill they have, from playing music to doing magic tricks, emphasizing participation and self-expression over fierce competition.
EN: Use 'can' followed by the base form of a verb to express that someone has the ability to do something. Do not add '-s' or '-ed' to the verb after 'can'.
My brother can play the guitar.
EN: Use the helper verb 'can' followed by basic action words (verbs) to talk about what someone is able to do. When connecting two actions, you can use 'and' to join them.
Leo can play the drums and sing.
EN: Use 'can' followed by the base form of a verb (like 'do') to show that someone has the ability to do something.
Sarah can play the piano.
EN: In Western schools, talent shows are very common and popular events where students can showcase their hobbies and skills, such as magic tricks, playing instruments, or dancing, in a supportive and fun environment.
EN: Use 'can' followed by the base form of a verb to express that someone has the ability to do something.
Emma can speak three languages.
EN: Riding a bike 'with no hands' is a common playful challenge and show of skill among children and teenagers in many Western cultures, often seen as a milestone of balance and confidence.
EN: Use 'can' to express ability (what you are able to do) and 'can't' (cannot) to express inability (what you are not able to do). The base form of the verb always follows 'can' or 'can't'.
I can swim, but I can't ride a bike.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, saying 'I can't... very well' is a polite and modest way to express that you have a little ability but are not an expert, rather than saying a flat 'I can't dance' which sounds more absolute.
EN: Use 'can' followed by the base form of a verb to show that someone is able to do something or that something is possible.
We can play soccer after school.
EN: The pattern 'make + noun + noun' is used to express causing someone or something to become a certain status or role. In this sentence, 'make our show a big success' means to cause the show to become a great success.
We can make this project a big success.
EN: We use 'What can you do...?' to ask about someone's abilities or what they are able to offer in a specific situation. 'Can' is a helping verb used for ability, followed by the base verb 'do'.
What can you do for the party?
EN: In English-speaking schools, 'talent shows' are very common and popular events where students showcase their unique skills, such as singing, dancing, magic tricks, or playing instruments, in a supportive and fun environment.
EN: Use 'can' followed by the base form of a verb to express ability (being able to do something).
I can ride a bike.
EN: Use 'Can you + verb...?' to ask someone for help or to request them to do something. 'Teach someone how to do something' is a common pattern used to ask for instruction.
Can you teach me how to swim?
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used to express ability or permission. It is followed by the base form of the verb (in this case, 'show').
I can help you with your homework.
EN: In English-speaking schools, 'after school' is a very common time for extracurricular activities, clubs, or helping friends with hobbies and homework. It implies a casual, friendly agreement.
EN: Use 'can' followed by the base form of a verb to show that someone has the ability to do something. Do not add '-s' or '-ed' to the verb after 'can'.
Emma can speak three languages.
EN: In English, when we talk about playing musical instruments, we always use the definite article 'the' before the instrument (e.g., play the drums, play the piano). This is different from sports, where 'the' is not used (e.g., play soccer).
EN: To ask if someone has the ability to do something, we put the helper verb 'Can' at the very beginning of the sentence, followed by the person (subject) and the action (verb).
Can Leo play the piano?
EN: In school talent shows, a 'solo' refers to a performance by a single person, which is a great way for students to showcase their individual talents. Asking 'Can Hana sing a solo?' shows encouragement and interest in a classmate's specific ability.
EN: Use 'can' followed by the base form of a verb to talk about ability (things you are able to do).
I can ride a bike.
EN: The verb 'help' can be followed by an object and then another verb in its base form (without 'to') to show who is being helped and what they are being helped to do.
They help me clean the room.
EN: Use 'can' followed by a basic verb (like 'make', 'sing', 'run') to say that you are able to do something or to volunteer for a task.
I can help you with your homework.
EN: Use 'can' followed by a basic verb to show that someone is able to do something.
We can play soccer.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
A competition or show in which people perform talents such as singing, dancing, or magic.
An illusion or clever trick performed to entertain people, seeming to do the impossible.
At the same time; simultaneously.
To sing a piece of music alone, without other singers.