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I Kən Car Time Can’t Modal Verb Bre

Word can
WordType (modal verb)
Phonetic BrE / kən / NAmE / kən /
Example
  • i can run fast.
  • can you call back tomorrow?
  • he couldn't answer the question.
  • the stadium can be emptied in four minutes.
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can

(modal verb)BrE / kən / NAmE / kən /
  1. used to say that it is possible for somebody/something to do something, or for something to happen
    • I can run fast.
    • Can you call back tomorrow?
    • He couldn't answer the question.
    • The stadium can be emptied in four minutes.
    • I can't promise anything, but I'll do what I can.
    • Please let us know if you cannot attend the meeting.
  2. used to say that somebody knows how to do something
    • She can speak Spanish.
    • Can he cook?
    • I could drive a car before I left school.
  3. used with the verbs ‘feel’, ‘hear’, ‘see’, ‘smell’, ‘taste’
    • She could feel a lump in her breast.
    • I can hear music.
    • Can you play the piano?
    • I can hear someone calling
    • The podcast can be downloaded here.
    • Can you/are you able to come on Saturday?
    • You’ll be able to get a taxi outside the station.
    • I haven’t been able to get much work done today.
    • She’d love to be able to play the piano.
    • Our daughter could walk when she was nine months old.
    • I was able to/managed to find some useful books in the library.
    • We weren’t able to/didn’t manage to/couldn’t get there in time.
    • I could see there was something wrong.
    • I could have won the game but decided to let her win.
  4. used to show that somebody is allowed to do something
    • You can take the car, if you want.
    • We can't wear jeans at work.
  5. used to ask permission to do something
    • Can I read your newspaper?
    • Can I take you home?
    • Can I borrow your calculator?
    • You can come with us if you want to.
    • You can’t park your car there.
    • May I borrow your newspaper?
    • You may come if you wish.
    • Visitors may use the swimming pool between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
    • Students may not use the college car park.
  6. used to ask somebody to help you
    • Can you help me with this box?
    • Can you feed the cat, please?
  7. used in the negative for saying that you are sure something is not true
    • That can't be Mary—she's in New York.
    • He can't have slept through all that noise.
  8. used to express doubt or surprise
    • What can they be doing?
    • Can he be serious?
    • Where can she have put it?
  9. used to say what somebody/something is often like
    • He can be very tactless sometimes.
    • It can be quite cold here in winter.
  10. used to make suggestions
    • We can eat in a restaurant, if you like.
    • I can take the car if necessary.
  11. used to say that somebody must do something, usually when you are angry
    • You can shut up or get out!
    • He can speak three languages.
    • She will try and visit tomorrow.
    • You must find a job.
    • You ought to stop smoking.
    • I used to smoke but I gave up two years ago.
    • Can I invite Mary?
    • Should I have invited Mary?
  12. as happy, etc. as possible
  13. used to say that you do not like something and are unwilling to accept it
    • I can't be doing with people who complain all the time.
    • I can’t be doing with you moaning all the time.
  14. used to say that you are not able or willing to do something
    • Sorry, no can do. I just don't have the time.

    Verb Forms

    • cannot
    • can’t
    • past simple could
    • could not
    • couldn’t

    Word Origin

    • Old English cunnan ‘know’ (in Middle English ‘know how to’), related to Dutch kunnen and German können; from an Indo-European root shared by Latin gnoscere ‘know’ and Greek gignōskein ‘know’.
Copyright This card's content is collected from the following dictionaries: Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Tags: c

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