Modality in

focus: using
can

GRAMMAR

LEVEL NUMBER LANGUAGE

Advanced C1_4021G_EN English
Goals

■ Can recognise more

advanced modal structures
using 'can'.

■ Can accurately form my

own sentences with 'can' to
emphasise an idea clearly.

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He can’t have been that tired after his
flight if he was able to go to Jill’s party
and stay right until the end. Though I
can’t say I enjoyed the party much
myself, the food was terrible! I can
honestly say Jill is a lovely person, but
she isn’t so talented in the kitchen!

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Preview and warm-up

■ In this class you will learn and practise using more advanced structures using the
modal verb can.

That‘s a fair point! It could be argued that way.

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 Review: deduction using can’t and
cannot

We use the negative form of the modal verb can to deduce that something is not the
case, or that something did not happen. Unlike must, may or could have, deduction
in the negative form is usually a reaction to what someone else has said.

We use can't (or cannot) + have + past participle to make this kind of deduction.

It’s too bad that John has left for his holidays already, I wanted to
check something with him before he went.

He can’t have left for his holidays yet, I saw him in the office five
minutes ago!

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Make your own deductions!

Take inspiration from the pictures below and make as many deductive
sentences as you can using cannot or can’t for each.

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Using can in the passive voice

■ Another advanced structure uses can in the passive voice. This form is quite
speculative.
■ We can use can in the passive voice to give a perspective on something, usually
when there are different ways of looking at the topic.
■ Using can in this way is non-committal. You are not taking as much ownership
of the statement by using the passive voice.
■ We use the construction: can + be + past participle.

■ It can be said that London is a

difficult city to live in because it is
so expensive.

■ It can be concluded that, in

general, living in a rural area leads
to better quality of sleep.

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Using can and could in the passive voice

■ You can also make this construction using could: could + be + past participle +
(that).
■ Using could has the effect of distancing you even further from the point that’s
being made. Using could implies you are taking less ownership than can as it is
a conditional verb.

■ It could be argued that if he had

acted sooner the company could
have been saved.

■ That kind of behaviour could be

considered a cry for help.

■ In my country, that could be seen

as very rude.

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Reporting formally using can and could in the passive voice

■ Remember, it’s more common to see this structure used formally!

■ This structure is very useful when writing a report in the passive voice, when
you might want to show a few different perspectives on one topic.

On the one hand, it can be concluded that school environments are not
conducive to full concentration. However on the other hand, these
statistics can be seen as a result of children’s increased exposure to
technology for longer periods of time.

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That or as?

Below are some past participles of verbs that can be used in the passive
structure ‘can/could + be + past participle’. Which should be paired with
‘that’ and which should be paired with ‘as’? Which would you only use
when writing?

argued concluded considered said

seen looked at thought of claimed

asserted denied

that as only when writing

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Can/could with the passive voice in everyday speech

Complete the second sentence below. Can you think of other situations
where you would use this structure in everyday speech?

I think this new policy of a stricter dress code at work is unnecessarily strict.
It’s just trying to make us all look and think the same.

It could also be seen as an attempt to...

That’s a fair point. I never thought about it that way, actually. Doesn’t stop it
being annoying, though!

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 Complete the sentence

Complete the following sentences with your own endings. Feel

free to replace ‘it’ with a noun phrase of your choosing!

1. It can be argued that...

2. It could be said that...

3. It could be understood as...

4. It can be seen as...

5. It could be considered as...

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Now it’s your turn!

Look at the topics on the cards below. Make sentences about each topic
using can or could in the passive voice.

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Using can or can't for emphasis

■ We also use can and can't to add emphasis in sentences.

■ We use can and can’t in this way in more informal sentences, in both spoken
and in written English.
■ Usually we add can and can’t for emphasis with certain verbs, like to say and to
tell.

■ They have spent a lot of money on

the redesign of the restaurant but I
can tell you, it looked better
before!

■ I can‘t say I liked the new food

much, either.

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Can and can’t for emphasis in informal spoken English

■ Do you know what gossip is? You will frequently hear can and can’t used for
emphasis in this kind of spoken English.
■ Gossip is a light, informal and idle talk that is often about the personal lives or
affairs of other people.

I can’t say I was surprised to hear she left him, apparently he never did
any work around the house and spent all of his time watching television!

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Unscramble the sentences

Can you unscramble the sentences below?

we have invested
a lot of money in
our new library

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Using can and can’t for emphasis

Look at the pictures below. Roleplay the situation described with your
teacher and practise using can and can’t for emphasis.

Two colleagues An interviewer showing

gossiping about a an interviewee around
colleague’s promotion the office

A friend telling a story A teacher talking to a

about something they colleague about a
did on a recent holiday clever student

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Emphasising something with an adverb in the mid position

■ We also use can and can’t to emphasise something with an adverb in the mid
position for extra detail.
■ In this structure, the adverb goes between the modal verb can and the main
verb:
■ Can + adverb + main verb

■ I can honestly say I have never

before seen such a beautiful view!

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Emphasising something with an adverb in the mid position

■ Below are a list of verbs and some of the adverbs that are often used with
them.
■ Be careful! It is important to make sure that your chosen adverb makes sense
with your main verb, and in the context of your sentence!

main verb typical adverbs example

truthfully, honestly, proudly, I can honestly say that was the best
to say
confidently meal I have ever eaten.
highly, thoroughly, definitely, I can highly recommend that hotel,
to recommend heartily, personally, strongly, I stayed there last month with my
sincerely family and we loved it.
I can fully understand wanting to
fully, perfectly, totally,
to understand take some time to think about your
completely
decision.
definitely, clearly, hardly, We can clearly see a link between
to see
absolutely the two.

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Complete the sentences

Complete the following sentences by matching the appropriate

beginning on the left with an ending on the right.

a. say that Pamela has accepted the

1. I can perfectly position as our new head of
department

b. understand why you chose to

2. We can thoroughly
move here

c. see how hard they have worked

3. You can clearly
on the project

d. recommend his services, he is an

4. I can proudly
excellent teacher

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Categorise

Sort the adverbs below into lists that can be used with each of the four
verbs. If you aren’t sure, about a pair, try to put them in a sentence.
Watch out – some of them will go in more than one list!

truthfully honestly proudly strongly

sincerely hardly personally completely

confidently clearly highly heartily

say recommend see understand

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Putting it into practise

Read the situations described on the cards below. You are going to
practise emphasising something with can or cannot and an adverb in
the mid position. In each case make as many different sentences as you
can using as many adverbs as possible with the appropriate verb.

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Speaking your mind

Choose one of the topics below and speak about it for at least 3
minutes. Weigh up the pros and cons of the topic, explain
possible reasons for these, or possible interpretations of the
pros and cons. Finally, give your own opinion. Use as many
structures from this lesson as you can!

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Reflect on the lesson

Take a moment to review any new

vocabulary, phrases, language
structures or grammar points you have
come across for the first time in this
lesson.

Review them with your teacher one more

time to make sure you don’t forget!

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 Answer key

Activity p. 10
That: argued, concluded, said, claimed, denied
As: seen, looked at, thought of, considered
Only when writing: concluded, claimed, asserted, denied

Activity p. 16
His idea was interesting but - I can’t say I liked it
As you can see - there’s a lot of choice on our wine menu
I can tell you - she is the hardest working member of staff I have ever met.
I can tell you - he won’t be showing his face around here for a whlie!
As you can see - we have invested a lot of money in our new library
She made a chocolate cake but - I can’t say I enjoyed it

Activity p. 20
1b, 2d, 3c, 4a

Activity p. 21
Say: truthfully, honestly, proudly, confidently, hardly, sincerely
Recommend: highly, thoroughly, heartily, personally, strongly, sincerely, honestly
Understand: completely, personally, sincerely
See: definitely, clearly, hardly, honestly, sincerely

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Homework

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Revising the rules

Go back through the lesson and make flashcards about the

structures you learned. Were there any mistakes you kept
making? Make special flashcards to help you for next time!

I can tell you...

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Write a review

Using as many structures using ‘can’ as possible, write a review

of a restaurant, holiday destination, book or film.

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