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Definition of can 1 modal verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

can1

modal verb
 OPAL S
 
/kən/, strong form
 
/kæn/
 
/kən/, strong form
 
/kæn/
Verb Forms
cannot
 
/ˈkænɒt/
 
/ˈkænɑːt/
can’t
 
/kɑːnt/
 
/kænt/
past simple could
 
/kəd/, strong form
 
/kʊd/
 
/kəd/, strong form
 
/kʊd/
could not
couldn’t
 
/ˈkʊdnt/
 
/ˈkʊdnt/
Idioms
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  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 you cook?
    • I could drive a car before I left school.
  3.  
     used with the verbs ‘feel’, ‘hear’, ‘see’, ‘smell’, ‘taste’
    • She could feel the warmth of the sun on her face.
    • I can hear music.
    Grammar Point Talking about abilityTalking about ability
    • Can is used to say that somebody has the ability to do something because they have learned how to do it:
      • Can you play the piano?
    • Can is also used to talk about things you do with your senses, such as seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling and tasting:
      • I can hear someone calling.
    • Can is also used with passive infinitives to talk about what it is possible to do:
      • The podcast can be downloaded here.
    • Can or be able to is used to say that something is possible or that somebody has the opportunity to do something:
      • Can you/​are you able to come on Saturday?
    • You use be able to to form the future and perfect tenses and the infinitive:
      • 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.
    • Could is used to talk about what somebody was generally able to do in the past:
      • Our daughter could walk when she was 9 months old.
    • You use was/​were able to or managed (but not could) when you are saying that something was possible on a particular occasion in the past:
      • I was able to/​managed to find some useful books in the library.
      • I could find some useful books in the library.
      In negative sentences, could not can also be used:
      • We weren’t able to/​didn’t manage to/​couldn’t get there in time.
      Could is also used with this meaning with verbs of seeing, noticing, understanding, etc:
      • I could see there was something wrong.
    • Could have is used when you are saying that it was possible for somebody to do something in the past but they did not try:
      • We could have won the game but decided to let them 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.
    Topics Permission and obligationa2
  5.  
     used to ask permission to do something
    • Can I read your newspaper?
    • Can I take you home?
    Grammar Point Talking about permissionTalking about permission
    • Can and cannot (or can’t) are the most common words used for asking for, giving or refusing permission:
      • Can I borrow your bike?
      • You can come with us if you want to.
      • You can’t park your car there.
    • May (negative may not) is used as a polite and fairly formal way to ask for, give or refuse permission:
      • May I borrow your pen?
      • You may come if you wish.
      It is often used in official signs and rules:
      • Visitors may use the swimming pool between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
      • Students may not use the college car park.
      The form mayn’t is hardly ever used in modern English.
  6.  
     used to ask somebody to help you
    • Can you help me with this box?
    • Can you feed the cat, please?
  7.  
     used to make suggestions
    • We can eat in a restaurant, if you like.
    • I can take the car if necessary.
    Topics Suggestions and advicea2
  8.  
     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.
    Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintyb1
  9.  
     used to express doubt or surprise
    • What can they be doing?
    • Can he be serious?
    • Where can she have put it?
  10. used to say what somebody/something is often like
    • He can be very tactless sometimes.
    • It can be quite cold here in winter.
  11. (informal) used to say that somebody must do something, usually when you are angry
    • You can shut up or get out!
    Grammar Point Modal verbsModal verbs
    • The modal verbs are can, could, may, might, must, ought to, shall, should, will and would. Dare, need, have to and used to also share some of the features of modal verbs.
    • Modal verbs have only one form. They have no -ing or -ed forms and do not add -s to the 3rd person singular form:
      • He can speak three languages.
      • She will try and visit tomorrow.
    • Modal verbs are followed by the infinitive of another verb without to. The exceptions are ought to, have to and used to:
      • You must find a job.
      • At your age you ought to know better.
      • I used to work there too.
    • Questions are formed without do/does in the present, or did in the past:
      • Can I invite Mary?
      • Should I have invited Mary?
    • Negative sentences are formed with not or the short form -n’t and do not use do/does or did:
      • It may not be anything to worry about.
      • You shouldn't say a word to her about it.
    You will find more help with how to use modal verbs at the dictionary entries for each verb.
    12. Word OriginOld 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’.
Idioms
as happy, simple, sweet, etc. as can be
  1. as happy, etc. as possible
can’t be doing with somebody/something | can't be doing with somebody doing something
  1. (informal) 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.
no can do
  1. (informal) used to say that you are not able or willing to do something
    • Sorry, no can do. I just don't have the time.
See can in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee can in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: can1

Nearby words

alloy
noun
 
 
From the Topic
Physics and chemistry
C2
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