Stress Patterns

can-can't

A word is stressed when it's the important piece of information.

can unstressed	can stressed	can't stressed
Can I help you with that? I can help you with that.	Can I? Yes, I can.	Can't I help you? Can't I? No, I can't. I can't help you.
Can she do that for me? She can do that for me.	Can you? Yes, you can.	Can't you help me with that? Can't you? No, you can't help me with that. No, you can't.
Can he come before 5:00? He can come before 5:00.	Can he? Yes, he can.	Can't he come before 5:00? Can't he? No, he can't. He can't come before 5:00.
Can we count on you? We can count on you.	Can we? Yes, we can.	Can't we count on you? Can't we? No, we can't. We can't count on you.
Can they take find it? They can take find it.	Can they? Yes, they can.	Can't they find it? Can't they? No, they can't. They can't find it.