Welcome to twominuteenglish.com. Teaching you English through two-minute lessons. In this lesson we will study the correct usage of ‘can’ in a conversation.

 ‘Can’ is a modal auxiliary verb. It’s used to express certain meanings - for example possibility, ability, requests or permission.  Mark, why don’t you give me some examples?

I can leave my car in that parking space.

Okay. You’re saying that you’ll possibly leave your car there.

Can you help me with my work?

This is a good one because it’s an informal request. We’re friends so it’s appropriate.

Can I smoke in this room?

Now you’ve just used ‘can’ to ask for my permission to do something.

You can’t smoke in here. Please go outside

Okay, I understood. You used the negative which means I don’t have permission to smoke in here.

That is correct. Now let me give you an example, Mark.

I can speak Portuguese. Can you?
No, I cannot. It’s cool that you have the ability to speak Portuguese. I can only speak English.

Now let’s see some sample conversations:

Hey Jamie. Can you help me out with something?
Yes, I can. I just need to finish some work here first.
No problem. When will you be free?
In half an hour or so.
Okay. I can wait that much. I’ll be outside.

Can you play any instruments, Garry?
No, I cannot. Can you?
Yes, I can play the guitar.
That's great. I myself can't play any instruments but I can sing well.
Yes, you can. I've heard you before.
Truth is I love music. And I can memorize things fast so I know many lyrics by heart.
I can see now why you always have some music on.
Yes, I can't live without good music.

REPEAT

I can leave my car in that parking space.
Can you help me with my work?
Can I smoke in this room?
You can’t smoke in here.
I can speak Portuguese.
No, I cannot.
I can wait that much.
Can you help me out with something?
Can you play any instruments, Garry?
I myself can't play any instruments but I can sing well.