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Feb 18, 2011 · As a non-native speaker, I feel that it is ridiculous that can and can't could sound so similar in American accent. Just now, I was just listening to a video in which the speaker with an American accent says. Fat cells can't reproduce themselves. The speaker dragged the word "can't" longer for emphasis, but perhaps as a result, what I heard at ...
In day to day conversation "I don't drive" and "I can't drive" are taken to mean exactly the same, eg. the inability to drive. However "can't" conveys the definite fact of not having the skill, whereas "don't" implies the ability to drive but leaves open the possibility of being unable to drive for some other reason.
Aug 20, 2012 · Stylistically, the choice between can't and cannot is more complex. Generally, people use can't in speech and informal writing, and cannot or can not in formal writing or very formal speech. Also (as @Kris points out in a comment), cannot might be used when you need to carefully distinguish it from can't in speech.
Sep 18, 2014 · You can't help it, but you exhibit undesirable behavior. There are other explanations for poor impulse control, including the obvious: you want to be rude. Explaining my poor manners, I may explain to her, "I can't help staring at that beautiful necklace" or "I can't help but ask how you managed to get home after your car was stolen."
Dec 1, 2014 · That can't have been Tom - he was in Japan. That couldn't have been Tom - he was in Japan. (These are used to mean that the speaker didn't believe that.) Similarly, please take a look at the examples below: Tom can't be moving the furniture upstairs - he's at work right now. Tom couldn't be moving the furniture upstairs - he's at work right now.
Mar 18, 2020 · "I can´t do the homework because it is too hard, but can you do it?" and I want to say that I can´t do it too should I answer "So can´t I"or "neither can I" You might say that but it would not be as natural as saying: 'no, I can't' or 'I can't either' or possibly 'no, I can't do it either' (a bit long, though).
I can't seem to do something. It seems that I can't do something. Some sample sentences: I can’t seem to subscribe to a Google Reader ‘starred items’ feed that I’ve created. I can't seem to stop arguing with my partner. I can't seem to make friends. I can't seem to transfer my videos directly from one playlist to another.
Aug 7, 2014 · The distinction for the listener is the unstressed schwa (/ə/) in "can" and the fully stressed /æ/ in "can't". The exception to this is when "can" is at the end of a sentence: "Can (/kən/) you ride a bike?" "Yes, I can." (/kæn/). In this position "can" is stressed and is pronounced: /kæn/. The negative response would be: "No, I can't."
Apr 16, 2017 · He may or may not be injured, but I can't tell. You have not been able to glean any information yourself. You just don't know. I think he might be injured, but I can't say for sure. You may have some idea, but you cannot say with confidence. In the second case (prohibition): I can't say, I promised.
Dec 26, 2013 · Can't you pick up the kids from church? This is a quick question stated in simplest terms. And it is stated in a positive way that, on its own, sounds as if the person asking it just needs clarification on something that has been previously discussed or acknowledged in some way, shape, or form.
