Hi! This is Amy, with Go Places English and today I want to talk about the linking and reduction of CAN & CAN’T in American English.

Many of my students have difficulty distinguishing between CAN & CAN’T in American English. Often listeners ask them for clarification, “Do you mean can or cannot?” Some students even develop a habit of saying CANNOT instead of CAN’T, just to be understood clearly.

However, if you want to sound natural when speaking, learn to reduce and link CAN & CAN’T. It’s really not that difficult once you understand the difference. You CAN do it!

In the case of CAN, we reduce it to sound like “KN”. KN, KN, KN.

We also link CAN. For example: I can swim. I can. I can. I can swim. Notice the difference. I CAN, I KN.

In the case of CAN’T, the final T sound is stopped. The “t” sounds is omitted. Sometimes this is called a Stop T sound. It’s like the T sound is stopped in your nose; it’s a slight nasal sound. Listen to the difference. CAN’T, CAN’T (Stop T).

The best way to learn this is through lots of repetition and practice. Repeat aloud with me.

I can fly.

I can’t fly.

I can go.

I can’t go.

I can see.

I can’t see.

I can work.

I can’t work.

I can drive.

I can’t drive.

I can speak.

I can’t speak.

I can think.

I can’t think.

I can learn.

I can’t learn.

I can stay.

I can’t stay.

I can call.

I can’t call.

I can study.

I can’t study.

I can improve.

I can’t improve.

I can write.

I can’t write.

I can dance.

I can’t dance.

I can sing.

I can’t sing.

Okay, good job!

Now get out your notebook and get ready for a pop quiz!

In your notebook, write what you hear me say.

  1. She can fix it.
  2. We can’t find it.
  3. They can’t come.
  4. You can try.
  5. I can show you.

Check your answers in the transcript, located in the description of this video. In the comments, let me know how many you got right.

You may want to listen to this video again. Mastering pronunciation requires a lot of listening and repeating. You can do it! You can make progress by practicing everyday.

If this video was helpful, please give it a thumbs up, share it with your friends on social media, and don’t forget to subscribe to get notified when new videos are posted.

If you have questions or feedback about this lesson, please let me know in the comments. Thanks!

Go Places English.

Where will English take you?

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