Did you say Can? Or Can’t?
Can: Reduced [kn]Most commonShortVery quiet (not
stressed)Mouth doesn’t
move to form vowel
STRESS content words (verbs, nouns)
1. I can meet you at 1:00.2. She can help you this
afternoon.3. You can borrow my car.4. We can be there by
three.5. I can help you with
that.6. She can get her car
repaired.7. I can get my hair cut on
Saturday.8. We can put them over
here.
CAN: Stressed [k æ n]Not commonLongStressedClear “n”Clear vowel (mouth
moves)Has a somewhat
argumentative meaning. Assumes a “but” in the mind of the listener.
1. I can meet you at 1:00, but...
2. She can help you this afternoon, but...
3. You can borrow my car, but...
4. I can drive/dance. (even if you think I can’t!)
5. We can be there by three, but...
6. She can get her car repaired, but...
7. I can get my hair cut on Saturday, but...
Can’t[kænt] or [kæn?]
Always stressedVery fast because of
voiceless “t” (sounds as if it is cut off)
Mouth moves for a clear vowel.
The “t” sound may disappear, esp. before a “stop” (g, k, p, b, d, t) – but there is a pause (i.e., the air stops)
1. I can’t meet you at 1:00.2. I can’t believe it.3. He can’t remember
everything.4. You can’t borrow my car.5. We can’t be there by
three.6. I can’t help you with that.7. She can’t get her car
repaired.8. I can’t get my hair cut on
Saturday.9. We can’t put them over
here.
Which one are you using?1. I (can, CAN, can’t) meet you at 1:00.2. I (can, CAN, can’t) believe it.3. She (can, CAN, can’t) help you this afternoon.4. He (can, CAN, can’t) remember everything.5. You (can, CAN, can’t) borrow my car.6. We (can, CAN, can’t) be there by three.7. I (can, CAN, can’t) help you with that.8. She (can, CAN, can’t) get her car repaired.9. I (can, CAN, can’t) get my hair cut on Saturday.10.We (can, CAN, can’t) put them over here.
BrainstormMake a list of verb related to:1. Things you can or can’t do in English.2. Things you can or can’t do as nurses.3. Things you can or can’t do in Canada.
Practice saying that you can or can’t do things. See if your partner understands you.
Introduce yourself Tell me ...
about your nursing background. what you hope to gain from the course. what you can do well and what you can’t do
so well in English.