how to distinguish can and can't?

[belly_ttt]

They're so alike that I'm often misunderstand them
The same happens to were and weren't. For example: somebody says" It wasn't me" I often interpret as "it was me"

[Soup]

Hi belly_ttt

Speakers often do not release the [t] in wasn't and weren't but they do pronounce the [n], so stop focusing on listening for [t] and start listening for [n].

Practice saying these
It wasn-me
It was-me

They weren-here
They were-here

[belly_ttt]

How about can and can't?

[RonBee]

How about can and can't?

The t is emphasized in can't, and you should hear it clearly.

[Soup]

How about can and can't?

I can do it. ([aen] is lengthened)
I can't do it. ([aen] is shortened, and [t] isn't always audible)