SupraEnglish
Pronunciation
Pronunciation/Unit 8: Can vs Can't

Vocabulary

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Positive

//ˈpɒz.ə.tɪv//

"Yes."

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Negative

//ˈneg.ə.tɪv//

"No."

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Reduce

//rɪˈdjuːs//

"Weaken."

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Can (Weak)

//kən//

"Able."

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Can (Strong)

//kæn//

"Tin."

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Can't (US)

//kænt//

"Not able."

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Can't (UK)

//kɑːnt//

"Not able."

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Clarity

//ˈklær.ə.ti//

"Clearness."

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Misunderstanding

//ˌmɪs.ʌn.dəˈstæn.dɪŋ//

"Confusion."

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Context

//ˈkɒn.tekst//

"Situation."

Article

Can or Can't? 🤔

The difference is often NOT the 'T'. It's the Vowel and Stress.

  1. I Can (Positive): Vowel reduces to Schwa /kən/. Unstressed.
    • "I kən swim."
  2. I Can't (Negative): Vowel is Strong /kæn/ (US) or /kɑːn/ (UK). Stressed.
    • "I CAN'T swim."

If you stress 'Can' in a positive sentence, people will think you said 'Can't'!

Practice

Progress: 0/10
Score: 0
1.

I ___ go. (Pronounced /kən/)

2.

I ___ go. (Pronounced /kænt/)

3.

Positive 'Can' is usually...

4.

Negative 'Can't' is usually...

5.

If you say 'I CAN go' (Stressed), it might sound like...

6.

British 'Can't' sounds like...

7.

American 'Can't' sounds like...

8.

To verify, listen for the...

9.

I can help. (Say it fast)

10.

I can't help.

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