home Windows and doors Can modal verb rule. Modal verb CAN - many examples! Use of Can and May

Can modal verb rule. Modal verb CAN - many examples! Use of Can and May

Can, could, be able to- it’s like employees of one organization called “Opportunity”.Can- the president, be able to is his deputy, acould- This lady accountant of venerable age.

Be able to usewhich helps to form the future, the past and convey the subtlest shades of meaning - this is, in fact, a synonym for the verbcan. And a very useful synonym, because in itselfcandoes not have enough flexibility to change in different tenses and grammatical aspects.

Modal verbs are generally not particularly inclined to change their form, and they often require helpers. For example,must often outsources its functions to the verbhave to .

By the way, we have already touched on the inexhaustible topic of modality. For example, here in In this article we explored the differences betweencan from may.

A little about why modal verbs are needed

I play the flute.
I play the flute.

Ican play the flute.
I can play the flute.

How are these two phrases different? Of course, because the second one contains a modal verbcan.

Modal verbs- these are words thatmodify, that is, they change the meaning of the semantic verb. Most often, they help express ideas of possibility, intention, obligation and necessity.

Verb can gives other words a characteristicpossibilities, feasibility or skills.

By adding can in the sentence " I play the flute"we get the value "opportunity to play the flute », « ability to play the flute ».

Simply put, I can = I can, I can.

Moreover, this “ Can"can be either an innate, natural skill, ability or property given by nature:

Birdscan fly.
Birds can fly.

Humanscan make mistakes.
People can make mistakes.

Oljacan be very sweet.
Olya can be very sweet.

So is a skill that develops with training, like learning a language or the ability to play the guitar:

Ican speak Japanese, I’ve been learning this language for 10 years.
I speak Japanese, I studied this language for ten years.

Ican't play the flute well enough.
I don't play the flute well enough.

Olja is in the first grade, she can read and write.
Olya is in first grade, she can read and write.

Can is added to the sentence according to the scheme:

In it, S is the subject (the one who performs the action), M is the modal verb, and V is the semantic verb.

In a sentence " Mary can sing" (Mary can sing), Mary - subject, canis a modal verb, andsing- semantic.

Armed with this example, you can compose a variety of sentences with modal verbs.

Teachers can teach.
Teachers can (are able to) teach.

Cats can catch mice.
Cats can (can) catch mice.

I can watch TV for hours.
I can watch TV for hours.

Can is also used in the following cases:

When we ask someone for something in an informal setting:

Can do you lend me ten dollars?
Can you lend me ten dollars?

When we talk about plans for the near future:

Wecan go out to the new Italian restaurant for dinner.
We can have dinner at a new Italian restaurant.

We have already said that modal verbs are rather clumsy people. Here's a list of whatcan, How modal verb, cannot do:

Can't bend over faces.

It must be said that in general, when verbs are inflected in English, this is expressed in only one way - they adds in the third person singular:

I sing. (I sing).
She sings . (She sings).

All. No more transformations different faces into English verbs they don't call.

So, modal verbs do not change at all. These are such conservative verbs.Canwill remain in any personcan:

I can dance.
I can dance.

She can dance.
She can dance.

Error: She can dance.

Can cannot be used with other auxiliary verbs.

For example, to ask a question you cannot use the verbdo:

Do you can play the flute?- wrong.

It should be simply said:

Can you play the flute?
Can you play the flute?

Can does not add the ending -ing.

And therefore, the aspect of duration is inaccessible to him. To describe the duration of an action, some other verb is needed.

Aspectperfect actions is also unavailable.

Can does not exist in the perfect. Therefore, it is impossible to say:

"I have canned"

And you need:

“I have been able” (I was able).

Ucan there are no forms of past and future tense.

This verb simply cannot cope with all tenses alone, so it resorts to the help of its “employees” -could and be able to.

Let's look at them in more detail.

Can, could, be able to : rulesuse

Let's see how this small team of professionals copes with a variety of grammar tasks.

Could

Is an expert on the past tense (and you remember thatcandoes not understand anything at all in the past tense).

Let's imagine Couldin the form of an old woman who constantly remembers how everything was before. We can say that she lives in her past:

Icould sleep less when I was young.
I could sleep less when I was young.

Icould walk for miles and miles.
I could walk for miles and miles.

That is, if you need to talk about skill, skill or ability in the Past Simple, feel free to use this verb insteadcan.

Couldused when making an assumption if there is a bit of uncertainty in it:

She is speaking some language. It could be Russian.
She speaks some language. Maybe it's Russian.

Both verbs - and can, And could, can be used in the request:

Can (could) do you pass me this glass?
Can you pass me this glass?

Wherein, could(as befits a respectable lady) implies greater politeness and formality.

**Difference betweencan And*be able to***

At all, be able to is a synonymcan (And could in the past time).

I'm able to swim = Ican swim.

Iwas able to swim = Icould swim.

But if canneeded to describe the skills and abilities acquired throughout life:

Ican sing, I’ve been studying music for 3 years.
I can sing, I studied music for three years.

That be able to , when used in the present tense, it mainly indicates opportunities that are opening upVthis moment :

I'mable to sing, my throat doesn’t hurt anymore.
I can sing, my throat doesn't hurt anymore.

If could- this is an old woman who thinks only about the past,be able to - an energetic business person who manages to do everything, everywhere.

He can afford what he cannot docan- talk about the past, about the future, follow another modal verb and even add an ending -ing.

Formation of the past tense

To do this you just need to putto be to the Past Simple form and addable to.

As you remember, wasused for singular, andwere- for plural.

In the following sentences try replacingcan on was/were able toto put into practice how the Past Simple is formed:

Hecan sell his old car. He can sell his old car.

Theycannot afford fashionable clothes.

They can't afford fashionable clothes.

Able to : consumptionin the future tense

An immutable attribute Future Simple, as is known, iswill, which means that it is necessary to put it beforebe able to:

Iwill be able to work tomorrow.
I can work tomorrow.

Will yoube able to come to my birthday party?
Can you come to my birthday party birth?

Try rearranging the following sentences to make it into the future tense:

We can handle it.

We can handle this.

I can type with my eyes closed.

I can type with my eyes closed.

You can draw.

Can you draw.

Use with another modal verb

Another case whencancan't cope with his affairs and calls for helpbe able to- when in a sentence you wantuse another modal verb. For example,should(about him in detail ).

You can't say:

"Sheshould can speak French."

"She should be able to speak French."

Instead of can put be able to:

Sheshould be able to speak French.

She must be able to speak French.

The same with the verb " have to »:

Ihave to be able to do this.
I should be able to do this.

With "may":

Shemay be able to fix it.
She may be able to fix it.

C "must":

Hemust be able to pass the exam.
He must be able to pass the exam.

Use in Perfect Tenses

If you want to say something with the verb "can" in Present Perfect, use the scheme:

has/have + been able to + V3

I've been able to translate the text.
I was able to translate the text.

Wehave been able to travel throughout the country.
We were able to travel all over the country.

Appending ending-ing.

Since there is no such word ascanning, here comes into play againto be able to.

Ending -ingadded, of course, to the verbbe:

Being able to use a computer makes a big difference.

The ability to use a computer plays a big role.

It is boring and sometimes inconvenient to always use the same word to express an idea. Today we learned in what situations the “colleagues” of the modal verb are usedcan: could- in the past, and be able to- in the future tense(and in the past too), as well as in situations where it is necessary to change the form of the verb.

Often verb Can causes controversy over whether it is a regular or irregular verb. It cannot be completely classified as “incorrect,” but it cannot be called correct either, because at all times it has its own form. We remember that irregular verbs of the English language are special words in English language, which have their own form for the past tense.

Can - irregular verb or correct English?

However, Can is a modal verb and also acts as an auxiliary verb in some cases. What are English modal verbs? These words (Modal Verbs) differ from other verbs in that they do not denote an action or state, but only convey the speaker’s attitude to the action that is expressed initial form(infinitive) of the verb. In combination with this infinitive, Modal Verbs form a complex verbal modal predicate.

Modal verbs are May, Must, Ought to, Should, etc. AND Can- one of them.

The verb we are considering means “to be able to, to be able to, to be able to, to be capable.” Eg:

My father can play chess - My father can play chess.
Can can you help me? - You can help me?
Ic an help you right now. - I Can(able, able) to help you right now.

This modal verb has the following grammatical forms depending on the tense in which it is used:

Past Simple: Could

I could not call you, because I was busy.- I couldn’t call you because I was busy.
Tom couldn’t come to us, because he caught a cold. Tom couldn’t come to us because he had a cold.

Present Simple: Can

I can talk to him if you want. - I can talk to him if you want.
Can you come to me right now? -Can you come to me right now?

Future Simple: Will be able

Tom will be able to help you if you ask him for it. - Tom will be able (will be able) to help you if you ask him about it.
Will you be able to finish that work till tomorrow? -Can you finish this work by tomorrow?

Negative form looks like this: Cannot (can"t), Could not (couldn"t), Won’t be able:

I cannot find his telephone number. — I can't find his phone number.
Alex could not answer the call, because he wasn’t in the room. — Alex couldn’t answer the call because he wasn’t in the room.
He won’t be able to help us, because he’ll be absent. “He won’t be able to help us because he’ll be away.”

Interrogative form: Can I? Could I? Will I be able?

Can you show me the way to the forest? -Can you show me the way to the forest?
Could I help you with your task yesterday? — Could I help you with the task yesterday?
Will you be able to come to my party on Friday? -Can you come to my party on Friday?

And finally interrogative-negative form: Can I not (can"t I)?, Could I not (couldn"t I)? Won't I be able?

Can't you listen to me? - Could you listen to me?
Couldn't Tom know that? “Couldn’t Tom have known about this?”
Won’t you be able to help me with this? -Can you help me with this?

So, is this a regular verb? Of course not. There is no doubt that it is incorrect, because in each time it has its own form.

English modal verb can with translation (to be able; to be able).

Use of the verb Can in English

You, of course, remember that English grammar has frequent pitfalls. Interesting cases can be observed with the verb Can.

For example, the past tense form Could sometimes it has the meaning of present tense and future tense: the phrase “Could you help me?” can be translated as “Can you help me?”, as well as “Can you help me?” and even in conditional mood"Could you help me?"

The same form Could is used in the conditional mood of the English language, in the second and third cases (Conditional of the 2nd and the 3rd case).

Note:

If I could know that, I would prevent you.- If I could to know this, I would warn you.
If he had known that, he could have helped us. - If he knew, he could would like to help us.

In this sentence could also acts as an auxiliary verb, instead of which there could be would, And should, And might, that is, e forms that are always present in the conditional mood.

The present tense form of the verb Can has the following meanings:

Skill, ability to do something: Sue can cook a cake. — Sue can bake a cake. My father can play chess. — My father knows how to play chess.
Permission (in this case, the verb Can replaces the verb May, which more often means permission, but in the colloquial form of the language it is customary to use Can): You can go home if you want. -You can go home if you want. Can I take your pencil? —Can I borrow your pencil?
Opportunity: I can find all the mistakes in my dictation. — I can find all the mistakes in my dictation. I can show you the way. - I can show you the way.
Surprise, doubt: Can it be real? - Could this be real? Can it be true that Tom went to Italy? — Could it be true that Tom went to Italy?
In the meaning of the future tense: I can give you this newspaper tomorrow, if you want. - I can give you this newspaper tomorrow if you want. I can go with you to there the next week. - I can go there with you next week.

The form of the future tense, namely Will be able, indicates ability, possibility, permission, etc. in the future. For example:

We will be able to ski and skate in winter.- We will be able to ski and skate in winter.
You will be able to go home after our lesson. - You can go home after our lesson.
You will be able to see the tall trees on the coast of California. — You can see tall trees on the California coast.

Form Be able can also be used in the present tense and mean action in the present tense. For example:

I am able to write this dictation right now. - I can write this dictation right now.
Tom is able to help you. - Tom can help you.

So, these are all forms of the English modal verb Can. This verb is irregular only judging by the forms for each tense. But from a grammatical point of view, this is a Modal Verb, since it often acts as an auxiliary verb.

Everything you need to know about the modal verb 'Can':

— translation, transcription and pronunciation;
- features of the modal verb;
— ‘Can’ in the present, past and future;
- ‘Can’ in negative and interrogative form;
- use of the verb 'Can' - rules and examples;

The modal verb ‘Can’ is translated into Russian: I can, I can, I can handle it, it’s possible.

Transcription: 'Can' - .
In sentences, the sound 'a' is swallowed and pronounced as - kn - kn.

Pronunciation of 'Can'

Features of the modal verb 'Can'

1. There is no particle - to - between the verb 'can' and another verb

He can go shopping tomorrow. X

2. There is no ending - s - at the end of the verb 'can'

He can't go shopping tomorrow. X
He can go shopping tomorrow.

Correct option.

3. At the end of the second verb, the ending -s- is also not placed.
He can go shopping tomorrow.

He can go shopping tomorrow. X

4. The ing form is not used.
He can't swim. X

He can swim.

Correct option.
5. They are not used in the future tense with the auxiliary verb will.

I will can help you. X

I can help you.
Correct option.

6. The interrogative form is formed without an auxiliary verb - Do -

Do you can walk? X
Can you walk? Correct option.

7. The negative form is formed using the particle not, it is placed after the modal verb.

She does not sing. X
She can't sing.
Correct option.

Forms of the verb 'Can' - present, future and past tense

PRESENT - I can walk.
I can walk.
PAST - I could walk.
I could walk.

FUTURE - I will be able to walk.
I'll be able to walk.
'Can' in negative form

Can’t - can’t - I can’t.

You can’t - you can’t.
She/he can’t - she/he cannot.
They/we/ - they/we cannot.

I can't believe it.

I can not believe.

He can't stay long.
He can't speak Japanese.
He can't speak Japanese.

Can you cook? Can you cook?

2. When to ask permission:
Can I go for a walk? Can I go for a walk?
Can I come in? Can I come in?

Can I come today? Can I come today?

3. When to ask for something:
Can I have some more coffee? Can I get some more coffee?
Can I use your tablet? Can I use your tablet?
Can you call me back? Can you call me back? Can you send me your photo?

Can you send me your picture?

4. When to get permission:
You can take this bike. You can take this bicycle. You can do what you want.

You can do whatever you like.

Sentences with Can + be construction
Yes, it can be confusing.

Yes, it can be confusing.
English can be strange.

English can be strange.
This can't be true.

It can not be true.
This can be real.

This could be real.
The world can be better.

The world could be a better place.
I can be a super friend.

I can be a very good friend.

The modal verb can appears already on the first pages of elementary-level textbooks. Everyone knows that it means “I can, I can.” But not everyone knows that the functions of the verb can are not limited to this. In this article, we will go into detail about the uses and functions of the verb can and its past tense form (could).

Let's start with grammatical characteristics. The verbs can and could do not have third person singular endings:
he can, she can. The verbs can and could do not need auxiliary verbs to form negative and interrogative forms:
Can you...? Could he...? cannot Negative form of the verb can:
. The full form is usually written in one word, together. Shortened negative form: can"t , . In British English it is pronounced [ in American English -æ k].
nt Negative form of the verb could:’ couldn't t , pronounced
["kudnt]. The verbs can and could do not have infinitive or participle forms. If there is a need to use these forms, use the equivalents of these modal verbs:
be able, be allowed. Used after the verbs can and could.

semantic verb without the particle to

Now let's talk about the meanings of the verb can (could).

Could is usually taken as the past tense form of the verb can:

I couldn't dance well, but after a few lessons I can dance better. - I couldn't dance well, but after a few lessons I can dance better.

In this article we look at the verbs can and could (as a form of can) and their common meanings, but it would be a mistake to assume that these verbs always mean the same thing.

Modal verb could acts as an independent modal verb, which has its own functions that deserve a separate article.

The main functions of the verb can (could):

Let's look at all these meanings.

1. Ability, skill (Can, could)

We can use the modal verb can when we talk about abilities related to knowledge, skills, strength, nature, and so on:

We can speak English very well. - We can speak English well.

Only Mike can open this door. - Only Mike knows how to open this door.

Cats can catch mice. - Cats can catch mice.

She can play the piano a bit. - She knows how to play the piano a little.

My bike can accelerate to 150 kph. - My motorcycle can accelerate to 150 km/h.

In addition, can is used to describe typical characteristics of something or someone:

This dog can bite. Don't come close to it. - It's the dog that bites. Don't come close to her.

My boss can be really furious. - My boss may lose his temper.

Summers can be very hot in our country. - In our country it can be very hot in the summer.

Can (could) is always used when talking about the ability to speak a language or mastery of musical instruments:

Can you speak Russian? - Do you speak Russian?

She can play the guitar. - She plays the guitar.

Can is used when talking about what is possible/impossible under certain circumstances:

I can't play the guitar. It's out of tune. - I can't play the guitar. She's upset.

They can go for a picnic because the weather is fine. - They can go on a picnic because the weather is good.

We can go to the cinema or we can go to the theatre. - We can go to the cinema or we can go to the theater.

Abilities and opportunities in the past are indicated by the modal verb could:

I could write when I was five. - I could write when I was five years old.

My mother could skate very well. - My mother knew how to skate very well.

We could play football for hours when we were children. - We could play football for hours when we were children.

2. Permission

In order to ask for permission, give permission or refuse permission, the verb can is used:

Can I ask you a question? - Can I ask you a question?

You can go out when you do your homework. - You can go for a walk when you finish your homework.

You can"t leave the room until the end of the exam. - You cannot leave the room until the exam is over.

When permission is denied, “mitigating” phrases are usually used:

I"m afraid you can"t enter this room. - I'm afraid you cannot enter this room.

Sorry, but you can't open the book. - I'm sorry, but you can't open the book.

Could can also be used to ask for permission. The question with could is more polite and formal than with can. However, could is not used to give or deny permission; can is used for that:

Could I read this letter? - Yes, of course you can. - Can I read this letter? - Sure you can.

Could I look at the documents? - No, I"m afraid you can"t. - Can I look at the documents? - I'm afraid not.

Can and could are also used when discussing any laws or established rules:

Only employees of our company can use the photocopier. - Only employees of our company can use the photocopier.

Can the pupils bring mobile phones to the lesson? - Can students bring mobile phones to class?

3. Requests

Can and could in questions like - Can/could you...?- can express a request. The difference between them is that could- more formal form, more polite and less definite. If we compare their translations, then Can you...? will sound like "Can...?" or "Can you...?" A Could you...? : "Could you...?":

Can you help me translate this text? - Can you help me translate the text?

Could you tell me the way to the libtary? - Could you tell me how to get to the library?

4. Offers and suggestions

There are two types of offers: when you offer to do something for someone (this is a request) and when you offer to do something together (this is a suggestion).

If you want to offer to do something for someone (request), use I can or Can I...? . Question Can I...? has the same meaning as "Would you like me to...?" (Do you want me...?/Do you want me...?):

I can fix your car if you like. - I can fix your car if you want.

Can I wash the dishes? - Should I wash the dishes?

If your sentence is more of a hint and is vague, then use I could :

I could give you a few recommendations if you would like. - I could give you some recommendations if you want.

We could help you with transportation if you still need help. - We could help you with transportation if you still need help.

To suggest doing something together (suggestion), use We can/ we could, following the same rule: could- more formal and vague:

We can go to the gallery on Sunday. - We can go to the gallery on Sunday.

We could go to the gallery on Sunday. - We could go to the gallery on Sunday.

5. Can with verbs of perception

As you know, verbs of perception such as see, hear, taste, smell, feel. Therefore, to convey that the action is happening at the moment of speech, the modal verb can is used:

I can see you very well. - I see you very well.

I can"t hear you. I"ll call you later. - I can not hear you. I'll call you later.

6. Speculation

The verb can can be found in set expressions:

Can't help- to be unable to hold back

I can't help laughing when I watch this movie. - I can't help laughing when I watch this movie.

Can't stand- can't stand it

I can't stand boring people. - I can't stand boring people.

Can't say no- be unable to refuse

I can"t say no to your offer. - I can’t refuse your offer.

Can't wait- be unable to wait, burn with impatience

Children can't wait to go to the circus. - Children can't wait to go to the circus.

Don’t be intimidated by so many functions and meanings of the verb can, with practice it will become easier for you to distinguish between them, because you are already using most of them! To keep up to date with all the news on our website, we recommend that you subscribe to our newsletter and join us in

Modal verb can translated as I can, I am able, I have the opportunity, The modal verb can shows the physical or mental ability to do something. This is its most common, but not the only meaning.

Examples of sentences with the verb can:

I can swim.
I can swim.

I can run fast.
I can run fast.

In fact, the modal verb can in English multiple values. It can be used in the following cases:

To talk about the right to do something according to rules or law:

The Congress can form the budget.
Congress has the power to set the budget.

To ask permission or give permission:

Can I go home?
Can I go home?

You can go home.
You can go home.

The negative form of the verb can is used to express a prohibition:

You cannot smoke here.
You can't smoke here.

In requests:

Can do you repeat your question?
Could you repeat your question?

At the same time, if you use could instead of can, then the request will be emphatically polite.

To strengthen a statement containing disbelief, surprise or reproach:

She cannot be so young!
She can't be that young!

Can there will be so hot in January.
Is it really that hot there in January?

How are sentences constructed with the modal verb can?

The verb can is modal, which means that it is used not on its own, but in pairs with another (semantic) verb. The infinitive of the semantic verb is always placed immediately after the verb can.

For example:

Mike can play piano
Mike can play the piano.

Here play is a semantic verb.

The verb can has past form- could. When forming the past tense, only the verb can changes, the semantic verb does not change. Past tense examples:

John could drive a car since he was 14.
John could play the piano from the age of 14.

The verb can is not used in the future tense. But there is a construction "be able to" which is equivalent to the modal verb can and can be used instead of the verb can to form the future tense. For example:

Soon I will be able to speak English.
Soon I will be able to speak English.

The verb can, unlike most ordinary verbs, does not change for persons and does not require the auxiliary verb have to form interrogative and negative sentences.

Does not change by person:
I can...
You can…
He can...
She can...
It can...
They can...