Can

Can

1. What is the meaning of can?

   • The meaning of the verb “can” in English is very varied. It means to be able to do something, or that some action will be done in the future. Also, it’s used to talk about things that are allowed, and to make requests, and even to talk about the possibility of doing something.
     • Uses of the verb “can”
       • 1. To talk about abilities
         • This use is valid for both the present and past form of the verb, and it means that the person was able to do something, both physically and referring to the fact of knowing how to do something.
           • Examples:Dolphins can swim!. Cowy couldn’t swim when she was little. Sammy can’t play the flute, but he can play the guitar.
       • 2. To talk about permission in the present and future
         • The verb “can” in its present form is perfect to ask for permission or to give permission to someone. Also, its negative form, can’t, can be used to refuse permission. Its past form, could, can be used to ask for permission in a more polite way.
           • Examples: Can I ask you a couple of questions? Could Lisa come to the movies with me, please? You can borrow my book! I’ve finished it already. All students can go to their classroom now.
       • 3. To talk about possibility and impossibility
         • This verb can be also used to talk about something that is possible (when using the affirmative form) or to discuss impossibility (when using the negative form).
           • Examples: It could be very dark at night in the forest. This book can’t be here. I’ll bring it to the library.

2. Conjugation of the verb “can”

   • Present simple: can
     • I can you can he/she/it can we can they can
       • This the present form of the verb “can” and it’s used to make affirmative sentences, yes or no questions, and their answers. It is used with all pronouns in English and, unlike other verbs, it remains the same for the third person singular, and for the plural forms.

3. Negative of the verb “can” in present simple: can’t or cannot

   • I can’t / cannot you can’t / cannot he/she/it can’t/cannot we can’t /cannot they can’t /cannot
     • The negative of the verb “can” is the word “can’t”, which is a contraction of the word “cannot”. This word can also be written as two separate words as “can not”, and even though the meaning is the same, the first spelling (can’t) for speech and informal writing, while the second (cannot) is more common for formal writing or very formal speech.

4. Examples with the verb “can” in the present:

   • Rick can play with the ball.
   • Billy can clean the kitchen tonight.
   • Bobby can’t go to the theater today.
   • Can we call you later? Yes, you can!
   • Lisa and I cannot go to the park, we’re going to the cinema.

5. Past simple: could

   • I could you could he/she/it could we could they could
     • The past form of the verb “can” is “could”, this is just used for the past simple of the verb. Just as the present form, it doesn’t change for any of the pronouns.

6. Negative of the verb “can” in past simple: could not or couldn´t

   • I couldn’t you couldn’t he/she/it couldn’t we couldn't they couldn’t
     • The negative of “could” is “couldn’t”, which is the contraction for the words “could not”. Like the affirmative, it’s the same for all the different pronouns.

7. Examples of the verb “can” in the past simple:

   • Could you go to the market? Yes, I went yesterday. I couldn’t call you earlier, I was busy.

8. Yes or no questions with the verb “can”

   • Can I…? Can you…? Can he/she/it…? Can we…? Can they…?
     • To answer these questions, there are two possible ways: affirmative and negative. Affirmative answers are formed by the word “yes” followed by a comma, the subject, and the verb “can”. (Yes, I can…), while the negative is formed by the word “no” followed by a comma, the subject, and the word “can’t” (No, I can’t…)

9. Dreeana Sanchez 1A 5-Diciembre-2020

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