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Study in the app →English · CEFR Band 1 (A1) · Chapter 42
Can you use this app?
Dialogue
Going to the beach
- Emma Minsu, let's go to the beach on Saturday. Do you like swimming?
- Minsu Yes! But I can to swim only a little.
- Emma Ah, after "can" there's no "to". Say "I can swim only a little".
- Minsu Ah, I see. "I can swim only a little." What about you?
- Emma I can swim well, and I can drive too. So I can drive us to the beach.
- Minsu Great! Then I can download a map app. It's very useful.
Dialogue
A useful app
- Jack Emma, can you use this app?
- Emma Yes, I can. It's very easy. You can send messages for free.
- Jack Useful! Can I download it now?
- Emma Of course. But you need an account and a password.
- Jack I can make an account. These days everyone can stay connected online.
- Emma True! Technology can make life easier.
Vocabulary
| 汉字 | Pinyin | POS | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| smartphone | n. | smartphone | |
| computer | n. | computer | |
| app | n. | app | |
| internet | n. | internet | |
| password | n. | password | |
| account | n. | account | |
| message | n. | message | |
| social media | n. | social media | |
| use | v. | use | |
| download | v. | download | |
| useful | adj. | useful | |
| drive | v. | drive |
Grammar
"can" + verb: ability, possibility, permission "can" + verb: ability, possibility, permission
"can" is a modal verb, and it does three jobs. (1) Ability — what you are able to do: "I can swim", "She can drive", "I can speak English". (2) Possibility — what is possible: "You can pay with your phone", "You can download the app for free". (3) Permission and offers: "Can I sit here?", "You can use my computer". "can" is the same for every subject (I / you / he / she / we / they can) — never add "-s". The negative is "cannot", usually shortened to "can't": "I can't swim". The key rule: "can" is always followed by the BASE form of the verb — with NO "to". Note: because verbs like "want" and "like" take "to" ("I want TO go"), many learners add "to" after "can" as well: "I can to swim" ✗ → "I can swim" ✓. After "can", drop the "to".
"can" is a modal verb, and it does three jobs. (1) Ability — what you are able to do: "I can swim", "She can drive", "I can speak English". (2) Possibility — what is possible: "You can pay with your phone", "You can download the app for free". (3) Permission and offers: "Can I sit here?", "You can use my computer". "can" is the same for every subject (I / you / he / she / we / they can) — never add "-s". The negative is "cannot", usually shortened to "can't": "I can't swim". The key rule: "can" is always followed by the BASE form of the verb — with NO "to". Note: because verbs like "want" and "like" take "to" ("I want TO go"), many learners add "to" after "can" as well: "I can to swim" ✗ → "I can swim" ✓. After "can", drop the "to".
- I can swim. I can swim.
- She can drive a car. She can drive a car.
- You can pay with your phone. You can pay with your phone.
- Can I use your computer? Can I use your computer?
- I can't speak French. I can't speak French.
Culture
Technology and English Technology and English
English and technology are closely connected. English is the main language of the internet, and learning it opens up a huge digital world. In fact, many technology words are English even in other languages — people around the world say "app", "online", "download" and "email". So as you learn English, you are also learning the language of the modern digital life.
The language of the internet
A very large share of the world's websites are in English, and English is the common language of technology companies and programming. That is why so many English words have entered other languages: "click", "online", "selfie", "streaming". Even if you do not live in an English-speaking country, you will meet English every day on the internet. Knowing these words helps you use apps and websites more easily — and helps you learn English at the same time.
Texting and abbreviations
When people text or chat in English, they often use short abbreviations to save time: "LOL" (laughing out loud), "BRB" (be right back), "OMG" (oh my god), "BTW" (by the way), "TTYL" (talk to you later) and "IDK" (I don't know). People also add emoji to show feelings. These are casual and friendly — great for chatting with friends, but NOT for a school essay or a formal email. It is useful to recognise them, because you will see them everywhere online.
Formal, informal, and autocorrect
Online English is often relaxed: people drop capital letters, use contractions like "I'm" and "don't", and skip full stops. That is fine with friends, but for a school essay or a work email you should write full, formal English. Also, phones use "autocorrect" and predictive text, which can be helpful but sometimes change your word into a funny wrong one — so it is good to check before you send. Being aware of tone — casual or formal — is an important part of using English online.
Technology is one of the best ways to practise English. You can change your phone's language to English, use a language app, watch videos with subtitles, or chat with friends online. A little English every day, through the technology you already use, adds up quickly. So open an app and give it a try!
pronunciation
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