Pronunciation Tip 'Can' vs 'Can't'

[julianaaraujooo]

Best explanation I’ve ever had! Thank you

[EderBarriosCamargo]

Good explanation, I could get the small changes between can and can’t in American English

[abielainedepaulamartins]

Thank you so much! Your video was extremely helpful! Nice tip!

[atomnous]

so is it "can" with "ih" or schwa sound? some people say it's schwa, I'm confused

[AmericanActionReport]

That doesn't work in Taiwan. For the past 26 years, Taiwanese have told me that "can" is pronounced "k'n, " as you said; and that "can't" is pronounced "can." They're clearly saying, "I can do it;" and, when I get to wondering what they mean, I rephrase the question to, "Are you able to do it?" This is especially confusing when you consider that there are actually two ways to pronounce the word "can." The common pronunciation is "k'n, " and the emphatic pronunciation is "can." (Just as Southerners have two ways of pronouncing the word "right, " depending on whether we're being emphatic. The emphatic "right" is closer to Standard American.) For second-language speakers, it's much less confusing to pronounce the "t" in "can't." P.S. In the South, "can" can be pronounced "k'n" (common) or "can" (emphatic); and can't is pronounced "cain't" to rhyme with "ain't." That's much clearer and easier to learn.

[paulazapata]

This is why I always use "cannot"

[поджолес]

i guess some how can't is longer sound, and even like more stressed that its counter part.

[jorachim]

Very useful video.I'm an American English student from Venezuela South America.

[Mr.S]

can is reduced. Can’t is never reduced. Another little tip, perhaps