Exercise 1 -43; Yes, You Canor No, You Can't? CD 2 Track 12
Next you use a combination of intonation and pronunciation to make the difference between can and can't. Reduce the positive can to [k 'n] and stress the verb. Make the negative can't ([kæn(t)]) sound very short and stress both can'tand the verb. This will contrast with the positive, emphasized can, which is doubled—and the verb is not stressed. If you have trouble with can'tbefore a word that starts with a vowel, such as open, put in a very small [(d)]—The keys kæn(d) open the locks. Repeat.
I can doit. [I k'n doit] positive
I can't doit. [I kæn(t)doit] negative
I cando it. [I kæændo it] extra positive
I can'tdo it. [I kæn(t)do it] extra negative
