The sight word "can"
Dolch Pre-Primer
"can" is one of the words your child will see on almost every page they read. The goal is instant recognition — no sounding out. Read it, say it, spell it out loud, then use it in a sentence.
can
Use it in a sentence
The can is in my book.
Spell it out loud
Four-step routine that works
- Show the word and read it aloud yourself — don't ask them to guess.
- Your child says "can" three times while looking at it.
- Spell it out loud: c–a–n.
- Read the sentence together, then hide the word and have them write it.
Common questions
Is "can" a sight word?
Yes. "can" appears on the standard Dolch and Fry high-frequency word lists, which means children meet it constantly in early books and should read it instantly rather than sounding it out.
How do you use "can" in a sentence?
The can is in my book.
How many letters are in "can"?
"can" has 3 letters: c, a, n.
How long does it take to learn the sight word "can"?
Most children can read a single sight word on sight after four to eight short exposures spread over a few days. Practise "can" for two minutes a day rather than twenty minutes once.
Practise "can" in the game
A real human voice reads the word, your child taps the match, and LQuest tracks which words are secure.
Play freeTeacher or school? See classroom pricing