Yes, you can start a sentence with “can’t” when speaking informally or asking a question and you should use the subject before “can’t” when in a formal situation.
Can’t is mostly used at the beginning of questions and is the contraction of “cannot”.
- Informal: “Can’t wait to see that new movie!”
- Formal: “I can’t wait to see that new movie.”
- Question: “Can’t we wait to see that movie tomorrow?”
While can’t is most commonly used in declarative sentences to express negation when in the middle of a sentence, using it at the beginning allows the user to express, emphasise and suggest in many ways.
Here is a table with some examples on the difference uses when you start a sentence with can’t and also inside a sentence:
| Sentence | Use of “Can’t” | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| I can’t swim. | Declarative sentence to Negate ability | Indicates that the person is not able to swim. |
| Can’t wait to visit Japan this week! | Expresses anticipation | Shows excitement or anticipation for the upcoming trip. |
| Can’t you see I’m busy right now? | Emphasizes annoyance | Highlights the speaker’s annoyance at being disturbed, emphasizing their need for focus. |
| Can’t we just take a break? | Makes a suggestion | Used to suggest taking a break, implying it’s needed. |
Common Example sentences Starting what can’t:
| Statement | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| “Can’t wait!” | Used to express eager anticipation for future events. |
| “Can’t believe it!” | Commonly used to express surprise or astonishment. |
| “Can’t argue with that.” | A way to agree with a statement that seems true or reasonable. |
| “Can’t help it.” | Used to explain actions that are seen as uncontrollable. |
| “Can’t deny it.” | Acknowledging the truth or validity of something evident. |
| “Can’t complain.” | Suggesting satisfaction or resignation; things could be worse. |
| “Can’t decide.” | Expressing indecision between options. |
| “Can’t go wrong.” | Suggesting a choice or action is sure to be a good one. |
| “Can’t make it.” | Informing someone of inability to attend or participate. |
| “Can’t remember.” | Indicating an inability to recall information or memories. |
Common Example Questions Starting what can’t:
| Question | Context or Typical Usage |
|---|---|
| Can’t you see what’s happening? | Used to express disbelief or frustration in a situation. |
| Can’t we agree on this? | Seeking agreement or consensus on a matter. |
| Can’t you do it tomorrow? | Suggesting or questioning the possibility of postponing an action. |
| Can’t we just get along? | Pleading for harmony or less conflict in a group. |
| Can’t you keep it down? | Requesting someone to be quieter or reduce noise. |
| Can’t we go somewhere else? | Suggesting a change of location or a desire to leave. |
| Can’t you tell me what happened? | Asking for an explanation or information about an event. |
| Can’t you try a little harder? | Encouraging more effort or engagement from someone. |
| Can’t we do this another time? | Proposing to reschedule an event or meeting. |
| Can’t I just have five more minutes? | Requesting a brief extension of time for an activity. |
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