Can and can't: singular 'können' + infinitive and negation | German

Starter quiz

Match the German and English.
- gesund
  
  ⇔
  
  healthy ✓
- langweilig
  
  ⇔
  
  boring ✓
- lecker
  
  ⇔
  
  tasty ✓
- leicht
  
  ⇔
  
  easy ✓
- nett
  
  ⇔
  
  nice ✓
- schwierig
  
  ⇔
  
  hard, difficult ✓
Which words are used with nouns to say 'not a' or 'not any'?
- kein, keinen, keine ✓
- nicht ein
- ein, einen, eine
- der, die, das
Which of these words or phrases could fill the gap in the following sentence? 'Ich kann das machen. Es ist __________.'
- in Ordnung ✓
- wichtig ✓
- Schule (f)
- Filme (mpl)
- im Park ✓
What is the infinitive?
- the dictionary form of a verb ✓
- a verb meaning physically or situationally able
- a word such as 'ich', 'du', 'wir'
- a grammatical gender
Translate the following sentence into German: 'He can eat.'
- 'Er kann essen.' ✓
Translate the following sentence into English: 'Ich habe keinen Unterricht.'
- 'I have no lesson.' ✓

Which of the words below are plural?
- Haus
- Häuser ✓
- Maus
- Mäuse ✓
- Träume ✓
To say ‘can’ with singular nouns, where should the noun be placed?
- after the infinitive
- before the infinitive ✓
- between the subject and the conjugated verb (verb with an ending)
- at the end of the sentence
Match the German sentences below to the correct English translations.
- Er kann nicht gehen.
  
  ⇔
  
  He cannot go. ✓
- Sie kann kein Stück essen.
  
  ⇔
  
  She cannot eat a piece. ✓
- Ich kann Videos machen.
  
  ⇔
  
  I can make videos. ✓
- Er kann keinen Körper finden.
  
  ⇔
  
  He cannot find a body. ✓
- Du kannst Filme benutzen.
  
  ⇔
  
  You can use films. ✓
- Ich kann jetzt kommen.
  
  ⇔
  
  I can come now. ✓
Fill in the gap to complete the following sentence: 'Er ist zu streng. Er kann ______ kommen.'
- 'nicht' ✓
Translate the following sentence into German: 'I cannot see a school.'
- 'Ich kann keine Schule sehen.' ✓
Translate the following sentence into German: 'You cannot eat any biscuits.'
- 'Du kannst keine Kekse essen.' ✓

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'Können' is a modal verb used to say what you can and cannot do (as in physically or situationally able).
Modal verbs such as 'können' require a 2nd verb in the infinitive, placed at the end of the sentence.
Use part of 'können' + 'nicht' before the infinitive verb to mean 'cannot'/'can't', e.g., 'Ich kann nicht singen.'
Use part of 'können' + 'kein' + noun to mean 'cannot'/'can't', e.g., 'Ich kann kein Haus sehen' - 'I can't see a house'.

Always use the word 'nicht' to negate a statement.

Use the correct form of 'kein' to translate 'not a/any' with nouns. Use 'nicht' with verbs and adjectives.

[au], [äu] - pronounced as in 'Haus' or 'Häuser'
Modal verb - verb of necessity or possibility (must, can, want) used with a 2nd verb in the infinitive, which goes to the end
Können - a modal verb meaning 'to be able to'
Nicht - 'not'
Keinen, keine, kein - indefinite articles meaning 'not a'