He can play the piano
* can + infinitive (can do / can play / can come etc):
I can do something = I know how to do it, or it is possible for me to do it
* I can play the piano. My brother can play the piano too.
* Sarah can speak Italian, but she can't speak Spanish.
* A: Can you swim?
B: Yes, but I'm not a very good swimmer.
* A: Can you change twenty pounds?
B: I'm sorry, I can't.
* I'm having a party next week, but Paul and Rachel can't come.
For the past (yesterday / last week etc), we use could/couldn't:
* When I was young, I could run very fast.
* Before Maria came to Britain, she couldn't understand much English.
Now she can understand everything.
* I was tired last night, but I couldn't sleep.
* I had a party last week, but Paul and Rachel couldn't come.
Can you...? Could you...? Can I...? Could I...?
We use Can you...? Or could you...? when we ask people to do things.
* Can you open the door, please? or Could you open the door, please?
* Can you wait a moment, please? or Could you wait a moment, please?
We use Can I have...? Or Can I get...? to ask for something.
* Can I have a glass of water, please? Or Can I get...?
Can I...? Or Could I ...? = is it OK to do something?
* Can I sit here?
* Tom could I borrow you umbrella?
Make sentences. Use can or can't + one verb:
1. I'm sorry, but we can't come to your party next Saturday.
2. I like this hotel room. You can see the mountains from the window.
3. You are speaking very quietly. I can't hear you.
4. Have you seen my bag? I can't find it.
5. Catherine got the job because she can speak five languages.
Make sentences. Use can't or couldn't + one verb:
1. I was tired, but I couldn't sleep.
2. I wasn't hungry yesterday. I couldn't eat my dinner.
3. Kate doesn't know what to do. She can't decide.
4. I wanted to speak to Mark yesterday, but I couldn't find him.
5. James can't go to the concert next Saturday. He has to work?
6. Paula couldn't go to the meeting last week. She was ill.
What do you say in these situations? Use can or could. with sentences:
1. Can/Could you open the door, please?
2. Can/Could you pass the salt please?
3. Can/Could I have postcard please?
4. Can/Could you turn off the radio please?
5. Can/Could I borrow your newspaper please?
6. Can/Could I use you pen please?
