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.