Unit 5

Can / can't

EXAMPLES

I can sing, but I can't dance.
I can come on Tuesday, but I can't come on Wednesday.
You can park here. You can't park there.
Can you help me? Can I open the window?

FORM

can + infinitive has different meanings:
1. I can (sing) = I know how to.
  I can't (dance) = I don't know how to.
2. I can (come) = It's possible for me.
  I can't (come) = It isn't possible for me.
3. You can (park here) = It's OK. / It's permitted.
  You can't (park there) = It isn't OK. / It isn't permitted.
4. Can you (help me)? = Please do it.
  Can I (open the window)? = Is it OK if I do it?
can and can't are the same for all persons (I, you, he, etc.).
NOT He cans.
Contraction: can't = cannot.
We don't use to after can.
I can swim. NOT I can to swim.

Present continuous

EXAMPLES

They're having a party next door.
Oh no! The baby's crying.
It's raining.
A What are you doing?
B I'm waiting for my brother.

FORM

[+]
I'm having a party.
You / We / They're having a party.
He / She / It's having a party.
[–]
I'm not having a party.
You / We / They aren't having a party.
He / She / It isn't having a party.

We use the present continuous for things that are happening now / at the moment.
At the moment can mean around now.
I'm reading a good book at the moment. (= not exactly now).
We also use the present continuous with longer periods of time, e.g. today, this week, this month. The present continuous emphasizes that the action is temporary, not a habit.
I'm working at home this week because my daughter isn't very well.

Spelling rules for -ing forms
infinitive > verb + -ing (spelling)
cook > cooking (+ -ing)
dance > dancing (no e + -ing)
swim > swimming (word ending with one vowel + one consonant = double consonant + -ing)

Present simple or present continuous?

EXAMPLES

present simple > present continuous
It always snows here in winter. > Look! It's snowing!
What do you usually do at work? > What are you doing now?
My sister works in a bank. > Today she's working at home.

FORM

We use the present simple to say what we usually do, or things that are normally true.
We ofte use the present simple with adverbs and expressions of frequency, e.g. always, often, once a week, etc.
We use the present continuous to say what is happening now or around now.
We often use the present continuous with at the moment, today, this week.