Definition of 'can'

can modal uses

(kən, STRONG kæn)

language note: Can is a modal verb. It is used with the base form of a verb. The form cannot is used in negative statements. The usual spoken form of cannot is can't, pronounced (kɑːnt, US kænt).

1. modal verb

You use can when you are mentioning a quality or fact about something which people may make use of if they want to.

Chicken is also the most versatile of meats. It can be roasted whole or in pieces.

Luckily, iron can be reworked and mistakes don't have to be thrown away.

A central reservation number can direct you to accommodations that best suit yourneeds.

A selected list of some of those stocking a comprehensive range can be found in Chapter8.

...the statue which can still be seen in the British Museum.

2. modal verb

You use can to indicate that someone has the ability or opportunity to do something.

Don't worry yourself about me, I can take care of myself.

I can't give you details because I don't actually have any details.

Oh Stephen darling, how can I ever thank you for being so kind?

See if you can find Karlov and tell him we are ready for dinner.

'You're needed here, Livy'—'But what can I do?'.

The United States will do whatever it can to help Greece.

I cannot describe it, I can't find the words.

Customers can choose from sixty hit titles before buying.

You can't be with your baby all the time.

3. modal verb

You use cannot to indicate that someone is not able to do something because circumstances make it impossible for them to do it.

We cannot buy food, clothes and pay for rent and utilities on $20 a week.

She cannot sleep and the pain is often so bad she wants to scream.

4. modal verb

You use can to indicate that something is true sometimes or is true in some circumstances.

...long-term therapy that can last five years or more.

A vacant lot can produce an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna.

I've quite forgotten how closed in London can seem.

Exercising alone can be boring.

The speed at which we talk can also convey a great deal.

Coral can be yellow, blue, or green.

5. modal verb

You use cannot and can't to state that you are certain that something is not the case or will not happen.

From her knowledge of Douglas's habits, she feels sure that the attacker can't havebeen Douglas.

Things can't be that bad.

You can't be serious, Mrs Lorimer?

6. modal verb

You use can to indicate that someone is allowed to do something. You use cannot or can't to indicate that someone is not allowed to do something.

You must buy the credit life insurance before you can buy the disability insurance.

No-one can set up a waste disposal company without proper certification.

Here, can I really have your jeans when you grow out of them?

We can't answer any questions, I'm afraid.

I can't tell you what he said.

You cannot ask for your money back before the agreed date.

I'm on tablets and I can't drive.

7. modal verb

You use cannot or can't when you think it is very important that something should not happen or that someone should notdo something.

[emphasis]

It is an intolerable situation and it can't be allowed to go on.

The committee can't demand from her more than it demands from its own members.

8. modal verb

You use can, usually in questions, in order to make suggestions or to offer to do something.

What can I do around here?

This old lady was struggling out of the train and I said, 'Oh, can I help you?'.

Hello John. What can we do for you?

You can always try the beer you know–it's usually all right in this bar.

9. modal verb

You use can in questions in order to make polite requests. You use can't in questions in order to request strongly that someone does something.

[politeness]

Can I have a look at that?

Can you please help?

Can you just lift the table for a second?

Can you fill in some of the details of your career?

Why can't you leave me alone?

10. modal verb

You use can as a polite way of interrupting someone or of introducing what you are going to say next.

[formal, spoken]

Can I interrupt you just for a minute?

But if I can interrupt, Joe, I don't think anybody here is personally blaming you.

Can I just ask something 'cos I'm really quite interested in this.

11. modal verb

You use can with verbs such as 'imagine', 'think', and 'believe' in order to emphasize how you feel about a particular situation.

[informal, or spoken, emphasis]

You can imagine he was terribly upset.

You can't think how glad I was to see them all go.

It's been an appallingly busy morning, I can't tell you.

12. modal verb

You use can in questions with 'how' to indicate that you feel strongly about something.

[spoken, emphasis]

How can you complain about higher taxes?

How can millions of dollars go astray?

How can you say such a thing?

How can you expect me to believe your promises?

English Easy Learning GrammarCan and couldBoth these verbs indicate ability in some respect. The use of could is usual in clausesthat contain a reference to past time.
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English Easy Learning GrammarModal verbsModal verbs are a particular kind of auxiliary.
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can container

(kæn)

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense cans, present participle canning, past tense, past participle canned

1. countable noun

A can is a metal container in which something such as food, drink, or paint is put. The container is usually sealed to keep the contents fresh.

Several young men were kicking a tin can along the middle of the road.

...empty beer cans.

...cans of paint and brushes. [+ of]

2. verb [usually passive]

When food or drink is canned, it is put into a metal container and sealed so that it will remain fresh.

...fruits and vegetables that will be canned, skinned, diced or otherwise processed. [be VERB-ed]

It was always roast lamb and canned peas for Sunday lunch. [VERB-ed]

3. singular noun

The can is the toilet.

[US, informal]

4. verb

If you are canned, you are dismissed from your job.

[US, informal]

The extremists prevailed, and the security minister was canned. [be VERB-ed]

When I got canned, I took these keys as souvenirs. [VERB-ed]

5. See also canned

See to carry the can

See in the can

Video: pronunciation of
can

can in British English 1

(kæn, unstressed kən)

verbWord forms: past tense could (takes an infinitive without to or an implied infinitive) (intransitive)

used as an auxiliary to indicate ability, skill, or fitness to perform a task

I can run a mile in under four minutes

used as an auxiliary to indicate permission or the right to something

can I have a drink?

used as an auxiliary to indicate knowledge of how to do something

he can speak three languages fluently

used as an auxiliary to indicate possibility, opportunity, or likelihood

my trainer says I can win the race if I really work hard

▶ USAGE See note at may1

Word origin

Old English cunnan; related to Old Norse kunna, Old High German kunnan, Latin cognōscere to know, Sanskrit jānāti he knows; see ken, uncouth

can in British English 2

(kæn)

noun

a container, esp for liquids, usually of thin sheet metal

a petrol can

a beer can

2. another name (esp US) for tin (sense 2)

3. Also called: canful

the contents of a can or the amount a can will hold

4. a slang word for prison

5. US and Canadian a slang word for toilet (sense 1)

6. US and Canadian slang

the buttocks

7. US navy a slang word for destroyer

8. navy slang

a depth charge

a shallow cylindrical metal container of varying size used for storing and handling film

10. can of worms

11. carry the can

12. in the can

13. kick the can down the road

verbWord forms: cans, canning or canned

14.

to put (food, etc) into a can or cans; preserve in a can

15. (transitive) US slang

to dismiss from a job

16. (transitive) US informal

to stop (doing something annoying or making an annoying noise) (esp in the phrase can it!)

17. (transitive) informal

to reject or discard

Word origin

Old English canne; related to Old Norse, Old High German kanna, Irish gann, Swedish kana sled

Can. in British English

abbreviation for

Canada

Canadian

Can in American English

Canada

Canadian

Canon

can in American English 1

(kæn; unstressed, kən)

auxiliary verbWord forms: could

know(s) how to

am, are, or is able to

am, are, or is likely or at all likely to

can that be true?

have or has the moral or legal right to

5. Informal

am, are, or is permitted to; may

verb intransitive

know(s) how

am, are, or is able

yes I can

am, are, or is likely or at all likely

have or has the moral or legal right

10. Informal

am, are, or is permitted; may

verb transitive

11. Obsolete

know(s)

Idioms:

can but

▶ USAGE: traditional grammar makes a clear distinction between can1 (for ability) and , may1 (for permission), the classic example being the retort, “Yes, you can go, but you may not”; in everyday speech and writing, however, can1 is generally accepted for both meanings, with , may1 being used only when the notion of permission is important to the sense of an utteranceand there is a possibility of ambiguity

can in American English 2

(kæn)

noun

a container of various kinds, usually made of metal with a separate cover

a milk can, a garbage can, a can of shoe polish

2. US

a container made of tinned iron or other metal, in which foods or other perishable products are sealed for preservation

3. US

the amount that a can holds

4. US, Slang

a prison

the buttocks

a toilet

tin can (sense 2)

verb transitiveWord forms: canned or ˈcanning US

to put up in airtight cans or jars for preservation

6. Slang

to dismiss; discharge

to put an end to; stop

Idioms:

in the can

Word origin

ME & OE canne, a cup, container < Gmc *kanna (> LL canna, a vessel); prob. < IE base *gan(dh), container > MIr gann, ON kani

Examples of 'can' in a sentence
can

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…

Crew can take extended leave or go skiing for the weekend.Such companies can be used to cut tax payments legally.What food fashion can we look forward to now?We will see if he can make the difference.Yet being a doctor can be hard.The judgment opens a can of worms.Now anyone can access millions of sources of information at the touch of a button.We make sure you can mix paint.They can buy a normal hoodie.It's the kind of bonus that can give a film such as this a vital box-office boost.