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can
/kæn/
ability or permission
Can you help me with this?
Asking for assistance politely.
general
To be able to do something.
I can swim.
Expressing the ability to swim.
She can speak three languages.
Describing her language skills.
Used to express ability, possibility, or permission in the present tense.
general
To request or grant permission.
Can I leave early today?
Asking for permission to leave.
You can go now.
Granting permission.
Common in questions to ask for permission.
general
A metal container for storing food or drinks.
Open the can of soda.
Referring to a sealed metal container.
Short for 'tin can,' often used in informal speech.
Engineering
technical
To preserve food by sealing it in a can.
They can the tomatoes to preserve them.
Describing the process of canning food.
Used in food preservation industries.
Collocations
can doable to perform a taskcan't helpunable to resist doing somethingcan't standunable to tolerate something
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Modal verb order
In questions, the modal verb 'can' comes before the subject (e.g., 'Can you help me?'). In negative sentences, it is often contracted to 'can't' (e.g., 'I can't go').
Gold Rule
Followed by base verb
The verb 'can' is always followed by the base form of the main verb (e.g., 'can run,' 'can eat').
Word Origin
From Old English 'cunnan' (to know, be able to), related to Old Norse 'kunnr' (skill, knowledge) and German 'können' (to be able to).
Usage Notes
The modal verb 'can' is used for ability, permission, or possibility. It is followed by the base form of the verb (e.g., 'can run'). In informal contexts, 'can' is often contracted to 'can't' in negative sentences.
Word Breakdown
can
modal verb indicating ability or permission
rootEnglish Dictionary