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"Can" is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English. It can be used to express
ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or impossibility.
Examples:
I can ride a horse. ability
We can stay with my brother when we are in Paris. opportunity
She cannot stay out after 10 PM. permission
Can you hand me the stapler? request
Any child can grow up to be president. possibility
Using "Can" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below
to learn how "can" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use
can
general
ability
Positive Forms
Negative Forms
Also
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. =
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. =
use:
Future
Future
1. I can speak Chinese.
1. I can't speak Swahili.
2. SHIFT TO "COULD"
2. SHIFT TO "COULD"
I could speak Chinese when I
I couldn't speak Swahili.
was a kid.
3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
be
able
to
3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
I won't be able to speak Swahili.
I will be able to speak Chinese
by the time I finish my course.
1. With a burst of adrenaline,
1. Even with a burst of
be
people can pick up cars.
adrenaline, people can't pick up
able
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2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
can
ability
during a
With a sudden burst of
adrenaline, he was able to lift
the car off the child's leg.
specific
3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
event
With a sudden burst of
adrenaline, he will be able to lift
the car.
something that heavy.
to
2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
Even the weight lifter, wasn't
able to lift the car off the child's
leg.
3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
Even three men working
together won't be able to lift the
car.
1. I have some free time. I can
1. I don't have any time. I can't
be
help her now.
help her now.
able
2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
I had some free time yesterday.
I didn't have time yesterday. I
I was able to help her at that
wasn't able to help her at that
time.
time.
3. I'll have some free time
3. I won't have any time later. I
tomorrow. I can help her then.
can't help her then.
1. I can drive Susan's car when
1. I can't drive Susan's car when
she is out of town.
she is out of town.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO
TO "
"
can
I was allowed to drive Susan's
I wasn't allowed to drive Susan's
permission
car while she was out of town
car while she was out of town
last week.
last week.
3. I can drive Susan's car while
3. I can't drive Susan's car while
she is out of town next week.
she is out of town next week.
Can I have a glass of water?
Can't I have a glass of water?
Can you give me a lift to
Can't you give me a lift to
school?
school?
Requests usually refer to the
Requests usually refer to the
near future.
near future.
can
opportunity
can
request
/>
to
may
could,
may
2/3
Anyone can become rich and
It can't cost more than a dollar
famous if they know the right
or two.
people.
can
possibility,
impossibility
could
You can't be 45! I thought you
Learning a language can be a
real challenge.
were about 18 years old.
This use is usually a
This use is usually a
generalization or a supposition.
generalization or a supposition.
EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS
Modal Exercise 1 can, could, have to, must, might and should
Modal Exercise 7 modal verb forms
Modal Verb Final Test complete review
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