25 Can: Modals of Ability
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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
- Abilities
- She can play the piano.
- She cannot play the piano.
- Can she play the piano?
- General truths
- Parks can be dangerous.
- Offers
- Can we help you and your husband?
- Opportunities
- We can stay at his place for a week!
- Permissions
- My children can go to the party.
- My children cannot go to the party.
- Possibilities
- My wife can go to Milan this summer.
- Reproaches
- Can’t you just tell him your marital status?
- Requests
- Can you write down your telephone number, please?
Use
We use can when we express:
- Abilities: to be able to do something;
- General truths: to talk about things that are usually true;
- Offers: to make offers;
- Opportunities: to express the chance to do something;
- Permissions: to ask or give permission;
- Possibilities: to talk about possible situations;
- Reproaches: to criticise someone’s actions;
- Requests: to demand something.
Summary
The modal verb can expresses ability, offer, request, possibility, opportunity, permission, reproach and general truth.
We can use it in its different forms:
- Affirmative: We start with the subject followed by can and the verb.
- Negative: We start with the subject followed by cannot and the verb.
- Interrogative: We start with can followed by the subject and the verb (the sentence ends with a question mark).
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.
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