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- Dictionarycan/kan/
noun
- 1. a cylindrical metal container: "a petrol can"
- 2. prison: informal North American "our friends will get a year or two in the can"
verb
- 1. preserve (food) in a can: "sardines and anchovies are worth the extra money if canned in olive oil"
- 2. dismiss from a job: informal North American "he was canned because of a tiff over promotion"
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Can vs. May: Usage Guide be physically or mentally able to; know how to; —used to indicate possibility —sometimes used interchangeably with may… See the full definition
- Overview
- Modal Verb
- Ability
- Expressing Ability/Will
- Informal Usage
- Container
- Request
This article provides definitions and examples about the usage of modal verb 'can' including its pronunciation /kæn, kən/, definition - indicating possibility or capability through requests for permission etc., forms - past tense 'could', negative form 'cannot', polite question form etc.
Can is a modal verb used to express ability, permission or request. It can be used in different forms of written English and standard spoken English. The past form of can is could.
Other words that express the same meaning as "can" include "able to," "capable of (doing)," and "know how to."
Can is often used when asking for or giving permission, making requests, or expressing strong possibility. Could is more polite than can when making requests but only expresses weak possibility in the present tense. May is less common but acceptable in very formal writing such as official instructions.
In informal language, can also refers to prison ("in the can") or toilet ("go to the can").
Cans are commonly found as containers for vending machine drinks and food items like soda and soup. They may also refer to fruit cans produced by factories.
Can is often used when requesting something from someone else such as help with lifting a box or tissue paper.
Learn the various meanings and uses of the word can as a verb, noun, and adjective. Find out how to form questions, negatives, and requests with can, and see examples of can in different contexts.
Define can. can synonyms, can pronunciation, can translation, English dictionary definition of can. to be able to, have the power or skill to: I can take a bus to the airport. She can paint very well.
CAN definition: 1. to be able to do something: 2. to be allowed to do something: 3. used to ask someone to do or…. Learn more.
3 used with the verbs “feel”, “hear”, “see”, “smell”, “taste” She could feel the cool air on her face. I can hear music. 4 used to show that someone is allowed to do something You can take the car if you want.
23 meanings: 1. used as an auxiliary to indicate ability, skill, or fitness to perform a task 2. used as an auxiliary to.... Click for more definitions.
