Tagged: can

May vs. Can

Both can and may can be used to talk about possibility. But there is some difference between them. Can is used to talk about theoretical possibility; may is used to talk about factual possibility. Compare: The road may be blocked due to the procession....

Modal Auxiliary Verb Can

Can is a modal auxiliary verb. It is followed by an infinitive without to. There is no –s in the third person singular. I can swim. She can sing. (NOT She cans …) He can run a mile in...

Talking About Ability In English

Present ability We use can to talk about present or general ability. I can swim. She can read Italian, but she can’t speak it. Past ability We use could to talk about general ability in the past. She could read when she was four. Note that was/were...

Can vs. Could

We use can to say whether situations and events are possible theoretically. Glass can be blown. Can gases freeze? We use could to talk about past possibility. It was a place where anything could...

Can vs. Be Able To

Be able to often has the same meaning as can. I am unable to/can’t understand his motive. He is able to/can support her. Can is preferred in expression like can see, can hear etc....