"And" in negative sentences

[Rachel Adams]

This sentence was written by my nephew in his Russian-English textbook. The exercise asks to use the correct form of "can't" but is it correct to use "and" in such negative sentences?

1. "A dolphin can't run and sing."

2. "A kangaroo can't sing, talk, and fly."

From "Spotlight" D. G. Iushina.

 

[Rover_KE]

Your preamble is confusing. You say 'this sentence' and then quote two sentences. Your nephew wouldn't write them in his textbook. The purpose of the exercise is not clear.

Please clarify.

 

[jutfrank]

The word and is wrong in both sentences. The correct word is or.

 

[emsr2d2]

If you use "and", you are suggesting that the animals in question can't do those things at the same time.

 

[5jj]

. The exercise asks to use the correct form of "can't"

What is the incorrect form of can't?

 

[Rachel Adams]

Your preamble is confusing. You say 'this sentence' and then quote two sentences. Your nephew wouldn't write them in his textbook. The purpose of the exercise is not clear.

Please clarify.

Sorry. The textbook asks to use the correct form of "can" not "can't." As in "A dolphin can't run and sing." Not "A dolphin can run and sing." I was wondering if "and" can be used in a negative sentence like this one.

 

[Rachel Adams]

If you use "and", you are suggesting that the animals in question can't do those things at the same time.

So "and" isn't wrong, but it has a different meaning. Two actions that are performed at the same time are connected by "and" but if they are not performed at the same time, then I should use "or." Do I understand correctly?

 

[GoesStation]

So "and" isn't wrong, but it has a different meaning. Two actions that are performed at the same time are connected by "and" but if they are not performed at the same time, then I should use "or". Do I understand correctly?

Yes.

 

[GoesStation]

Sorry. The textbook asks to use the correct form of "can" not "can't." As in "A dolphin can't run and sing." Not "A dolphin can run and sing." I was wondering if "and" can be used in a negative sentence like this one.

Are you talking about a textbook or a workbook? Students normally only write in the latter. "Can't" isn't a "correct form of 'can'".

 

[emsr2d2]

Take the common (and quite amusing) test of coordination - try to pat your head (up and down) with one hand while rubbing your stomach (round in a circle) with the other hand.

I can't pat my head and rub my stomach. It's too difficult!
I can't pat my head or rub my stomach. I have no arms.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Are you talking about a textbook or a workbook? Students normally only write in the latter. "Can't" isn't a "correct form of 'can'".

This Russian textbook has exercises too.

 

[5jj]

This Russian textbook has exercises too.

Do the students write the answers in the textbook?

 

[Tarheel]

This sentence was written by my nephew in his Russian-English textbook.

I don't think so.

The exercise asks to use the correct form of "can't"

I don't think so.

but is it correct to use "and" in such negative sentences?

What are you calling a negative sentence?

1. "A dolphin can't run and sing."

Everything is wrong with that sentence.

2. "A kangaroo can't sing, talk, and fly."

Everything is wrong with that sentence.

From "Spotlight" D. G. Iushina.

I don't understand your question. It doesn't make sense. For one thing, there is no such thing as a correct form of "can't".

People don't normally write in textbooks. They write in workbooks.

 

[emsr2d2]

People don't normally write in textbooks. They write in workbooks.

I don't entirely agree with that. I have a Spanish textbook that has a set of exercises at the end of each chapter. The way it's laid out makes it clear that the student is meant to write the answers in the book. I accept that students don't tend to write in school textbooks because those books belong to the school and need to be used by more than one student.

 

[5jj]

I accept that students don't tend to write in school textbooks because those books belong to the school and need to be used by more than one student.

That's true in the UK. In many countries students have to buy their own textbooks.

 

[Tarheel]

Well, when you buy the book you can, of course, write in it as much as you want.