Can
Can is an auxiliary verb, a modal auxiliary verb. We use
can to:
- talk about possibility and ability
- make requests
- ask for or give permission
Structure of Can
subject + can + main verb
The main verb is always the bare infinitive (infinitive without
"to").
| |
subject |
auxiliary verb |
main verb |
|
| + |
I |
can |
play |
tennis. |
| - |
He |
cannot |
play |
tennis. |
| can't |
| ? |
Can |
you |
play |
tennis? |
Notice that:
- Can is invariable. There is only one form of
can.
- The main verb is always the bare infinitive.
| EnglishClub.com Tip |
The main verb is always the
bare infinitive (infinitive without "to"). We cannot say:
 |
Use of Can
can: Possibility and Ability
We use can to talk about what is possible, what we are able
or free to do:
- She can drive a car.
- John can speak Spanish.
- I cannot hear you. (I can't hear you.)
- Can you hear me?
Normally, we use can for the present. But it is possible to
use can when we make present decisions about future ability.
- Can you help me with my homework? (present)
- Sorry. I'm busy today. But I can help you tomorrow.
(future)
can: Requests and Orders
We often use can in a question to ask somebody to do
something. This is not a real question - we do not really want to know if the
person is able to do something, we want them to do it! The use of can in
this way is informal (mainly between friends and family):
- Can you make a cup of coffee, please.
- Can you put the TV on.
- Can you come here a minute.
- Can you be quiet!
can: Permission
We sometimes use can to ask or give permission for
something:
- Can I smoke in this room?
- You can't smoke here, but you can smoke in the
garden.
(Note that we also use could, may, might for permission. The use
of can for permission is informal.)
Could
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