24 Can: Modals of Ability
Advertising
Introduction
A modal verb is a type of auxiliary (helping) verb that has no meaning on its own but it modifies the main verb, changes its meaning and gives more details about the action.
The verb can is a modal verb used to express the idea of ability or opportunity, to express the possibility or impossibility of an event or action happening and to ask for or give permission.
Form
The modal verb can is used as an auxiliary verb and has three forms:
Affirmative
Its structure, in the affirmative form, is:
Subject + can + verb + …
| Subject | can | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| I | can | work |
| You | can | work |
| He | can | work |
| She | can | work |
| It | can | work |
| We | can | work |
| You | can | work |
| They | can | work |
Negative
Its structure, in the negative form, is:
Subject + cannot + verb + …
- Short form of the negative form is can’t;
- Can is an exception in forming the negative form and it is written together with not: cannot (can not is incorrect).
| Subject | cannot | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| I | cannot | work |
| You | cannot | work |
| He | cannot | work |
| She | cannot | work |
| It | cannot | work |
| We | cannot | work |
| You | cannot | work |
| They | cannot | work |
Interrogative
Its structure, in the interrogative form, is:
Can + subject + verb + …?
| Modal Verb | Subject | Verb | Question Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Can | I | work | …? |
| Can | you | work | …? |
| Can | he | work | …? |
| Can | she | work | …? |
| Can | it | work | …? |
| Can | we | work | …? |
| Can | you | work | …? |
| Can | they | work | …? |
Example
- Ability
- She can play the piano.
- She cannot play the piano.
- Can she play the piano?
- Offer
- Can we help you and your husband?
- Request
- Can you open the window, please?
- Possibility
- My wife can go to Milan this summer.
- Opportunity
- We can stay at his place for a week!
- Permission
- My children can stay at the party.
- My children cannot stay at the party.
- Reproach
- Can’t you just tell him your marital status?
- General truth
- Parks can be dangerous.
Use
We use can to express:
- Abilities: to be able to do something;
- Offers: to make offers;
- Requests: to demand something;
- Possibilities: to talk about possible situations;
- Opportunities: to express the chance to do something;
- Permission: to ask or give permission;
- Reproaches: to tell someone what we want them to do;
- General truths: to talk about things that are usually true;
Summary
The modal verb can express ability, offer, request, possibility, opportunity, permission, reproach and general truth.
The structures are:
- Affirmative: Subject + can + verb + …
- Negative: Subject + cannot + verb + …
- Interrogative: Can + subject + verb + …?
For example:
— Affirmative: “She can play the piano.”
— Negative: “She can’t play the piano.”
— Interrogative: “Can she play the piano?”
NOTE: The form is always the same, even for the third person singular.
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.
Exercises
The exercises are not created yet. If you would like to get involve with their creation, be a contributor.
Ambassadors
Open TextBooks are collaborative projects, with people from all over the world bringing their skills and interests to join in the compilation and dissemination of knowledge to everyone and everywhere.
Become an Ambassador and write your textbooks.
Online Teaching
Become a Books4Languages Online tutor & teacher.
More information here about how to be a tutor.
