2. Can: Reduced [kn] Most common Short Very quiet (not stressed) Mouth doesn’t move to form vowel STRESS content words (verbs, nouns) 1. I can meet you at 1:00. 2. She can help you this afternoon. 3. You can borrow my car. 4. We can be there by three. 5. I can help you with that. 6. She can get her car repaired. 7. I can get my hair cut on Saturday. 8. We can put them over here.

3. CAN: Stressed [k æ n] Not common Long Stressed Clear “n” Clear vowel (mouth moves) Has a somewhat argumentative meaning. Assumes a “but” in the mind of the listener. 1. I can meet you at 1:00, but... 2. She can help you this afternoon, but... 3. You can borrow my car, but... 4. I can drive/dance. (even if you think I can’t!) 5. We can be there by three, but... 6. She can get her car repaired, but... 7. I can get my hair cut on Saturday, but...

4. Can’t [kænt] or [kæn?] Always stressed Very fast because of voiceless “t” (sounds as if it is cut off) Mouth moves for a clear vowel. The “t” sound may disappear, esp. before a “stop” (g, k, p, b, d, t) – but there is a pause (i.e., the air stops) 1. I can’t meet you at 1:00. 2. I can’t believe it. 3. He can’t remember everything. 4. You can’t borrow my car. 5. We can’t be there by three. 6. I can’t help you with that. 7. She can’t get her car repaired. 8. I can’t get my hair cut on Saturday. 9. We can’t put them over here.

5. Which one are you using? 1. I (can, CAN, can’t) meet you at 1:00. 2. I (can, CAN, can’t) believe it. 3. She (can, CAN, can’t) help you this afternoon. 4. He (can, CAN, can’t) remember everything. 5. You (can, CAN, can’t) borrow my car. 6. We (can, CAN, can’t) be there by three. 7. I (can, CAN, can’t) help you with that. 8. She (can, CAN, can’t) get her car repaired. 9. I (can, CAN, can’t) get my hair cut on Saturday. 10. We (can, CAN, can’t) put them over here.

6. Brainstorm Make a list of verb related to: 1. Things you can or can’t do in English. 2. Things you can or can’t do as nurses. 3. Things you can or can’t do in Canada. Practice saying that you can or can’t do things. See if your partner understands you.

7. Introduce yourself Tell me... about your nursing background. what you hope to gain from the course. what you can do well and what you can’t do so well in English.