English Sentence Patterns Level 2

English Sentence Patterns Level 2

Sentence Patterns using "I can..."

This sentence pattern can be used in a few ways.

Subject + can + verb

We use it to talk about abilities, skills, and talents.

• I can swim.
• Birds can fly.
• She can speak English.
• They can juggle.

When often use adverbs when we talk about abilities, skills, and talents.

• She can sing well.
• I can cook well.
• The boy can swim fast.
• She can play the guitar well.
• They can dance gracefully.
• He can ride a bike with no hands.
• The weather can change quickly, so bring an umbrella.
• She can sing well.
• They can dance really well.

We use "can" to talk about possibility.

• I can go to the party.
• I can meet you in 10 minutes.
• We can finish tomorrow.
• They can come to dinner tonight.
• The company can fire any employee it wants.
• We can meet you after dinner.
• He can attend the meeting this afternoon.

We use it to show that someone has permission to do something.

• He can use my desk while I am on vacation.
• She can speak after I am finished.
• We can use this meeting room. Karen said that nobody is using it today.
• Anybody can watch this movie.
• Everybody can have a cookie.

Bonus Tips and Points

1. Everybody can dance. Some people can dance well, some people cannot dance well, and other people can kind of dance well. There are different levels of ability, but everybody can dance.

For things that everybody can do (some well and others not well) if we do not use an adverb, then they meaning the person can do that thing well.

• He can dance.
  (=He can dance well.)


• She can cook.
  (=She can cook well.)

Use negative sentences to show that a person does not have a talent or ability.

• I can't sing well.
• She cannot cook.
• They can't speak Japanese.
• We cannot paint or draw very well.
• We can't ice skate very well. We can only do it a little.

Real-World English Conversations

A) Can you speak any other languages besides English?
B) I can speak Korean well and I can speak a little Spanish.

A) Can you dance well?
B) It depends on the music. I can do ballet, but I can't dance to hip-hop music.

A) It looks like you have a lot of work to do. I can help you if you want.
B) That would be great. Thank you so much.

A) What is today's meeting about?
B) I can't tell you. It is confidential.
A) Really?
B) No. It's about next year's marketing plan.
A) Haha. You joke too much.

A) Can you go golfing this weekend?
B) I can, but I can't go in the morning. I can only go in the afternoon.
A) Okay. The afternoon is fine.

Sentence Patterns using "She cannot..."

We use this sentence pattern in a few ways.

Subject + cannot + verb...

We use it to talk about abilities, skills, and talents that we or other people do not have.

• I cannot swim.
• She cannot play any instruments.
• Sharks can't walk.
• He can't speak English.

We often use adverbs after the verb to give more detail.

• He cannot speak English well.
• We can't come soon.
• I cannot sing well.
• We can't dance very well.
• She cannot run very fast.

We also use this pattern to talk about things that are not possible.

• I cannot come to the party because I have to work.
• We cannot live there because we do not have enough money.
• She can't come.
• We can't do it.
• They cannot come to the meeting today because they are busy.
• I can't meet you before noon.

We use it to show that a person does not have permission to do something.

• She cannot use my computer.
• We can't take this on the airplane.
• My dog cannot sleep on the bed.

Most native English speakers use the contraction "can't" when speaking.

• They can't believe it.
• I can't do it well.
• We can't stop laughing about what happened.
• She can't speak Japanese.

Bonus Tips and Points

1. Look at this sentence.

• He can't speak English.
  (This sentence gives the feeling that he knows 0 English words or very little English.)

Look how the adverb "well" changes the feeling.

• He can't speak English well.
  (This sentence means he does speak English, but he is not very good at it.)

2. One very common English expression is "cannot stand + something/someone". "Can't stand" means that we do not like something or we think something is annoying.

Subject + can't stand + noun/gerund...

• I can't stand working on the weekend.
• She can't stand carrots.
• I can't stand people who throw trash on the street.
• Children can't stand homework.
• They can't stand waking up early.

Real-World English Conversations

A) What is the delay?
B) They said the flight cannot take off until it stops snowing.
A) When will that happen?
B) There is no way that we can know that. We just have to wait.

A) I can't speak English well. What should I do?
B) I think your English is pretty good. You just should need to continue to practice.

A) Can you join us for dinner tonight?
B) I am sorry, but I can't because I have to work.

A) Can you help us finish this project?
B) I'm sorry, but I can't because I have to finish my own project by tonight.

A) He can't work well with other people. It is better if he works by himself.
B) That is a problem if he is going to continue to work for this company.
A) You can try to talk to him about it.

Sentence Patterns using "Can you...?"

This question can be used in a few different ways.

Can + subject + verb....?

We can use it to ask about abilities, talents, and skills.

• Can you swim?
• Can you play the piano?
• Can she speak English?

We often use adverbs or comparative adjectives when we are asking about abilities, talents, and skills. The most commonly used adverb is the word "well". "Well" is the irregular adverb form of the word "good".

• Can you sing well?
• Can she cook well?
• Can she speak English fluently?
• Can you eat more than me?
• Can the car go faster than a train?

We also use "can" to ask about possibilities.

• Can you come to my party?
• Can he meet us later?
• Can you help me with this report?
• Can you give me a hand?
• Can you come to the party?
• Can we reschedule this meeting for next week?

We also use "can" to ask for permission. This is similar to asking about possibilities.

• Can I have this?
• Can I go to the bathroom?
• Can I call you back later?
• Can I borrow your car?

We can also use this question to offer help in some cases.

• Can I help you?
• Can I give you some advice?

Bonus Tips and Points

1. Many grammar books will tell you that the proper way to ask for permission is to use "May I...?". This is true, but these days most people use both "May I..." and "Can I.." when asking for permission. Actually, most people consider "May I..." to be more formal and polite.

• May I go to the bathroom? = Can I go to the bathroom?
• May I see that? = Can I see that?
• May I borrow $5? = Can I borrow $5?

2. It is also possible to ask permission for a third person.

• Can Mary borrow your pen?
• Can Bill come to the party too?
• Can Mark also come with us?

Real-World English Conversations

A) Can you dance well?
B) I can dance a little bit, but I can't say that I can dance well.

A) Can you come to work a little early tomorrow to go over our report before we submit it?
B) Sure. No problem, boss.

A) Can I come to your party?
B) No. I don't like you.

A) Can chickens fly?
B) No, chickens cannot fly.

A) Can you think of her name?
B) No, I can't think of her name. It will come to me later.

A) Can your boyfriend cook?
B) Yes. Actually, he is better at cooking than I am.

A) Can Yanni speak English?
B) Yes, she is really good at English. She can speak it almost fluently.

A) Can we leave now?
B) Not yet, but soon.
A) When?
B) In about 10 minute