can
A1Universal (used in all registers from informal to formal, though modal sense is more frequent in speech; noun sense is common in everyday contexts).
Definition
Meaning
To have the ability, capacity, or permission to do something. Also a cylindrical metal container.
Used to express possibility, a request, or an offer. Slang for dismissal from a job or prison. In computing, to cancel a process.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a modal verb, 'can' is defective (no infinitive, -ing, past participle). Its negative 'cannot' is typically written as one word. It expresses both ability (internal capacity) and permission (external allowance). The noun denotes a container for food/drink or slang for toilet.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The noun 'can' (food container) is slightly more common in AmE; BrE may prefer 'tin'. The verb 'to can' (preserve food) is used in both, but 'to can' (dismiss/fire) is primarily AmE slang. In modal use, negative contraction 'can't' (BrE: /kɑːnt/; AmE: /kænt/).
Connotations
Modal 'can' for permission is considered slightly less formal than 'may' in both varieties. BrE may use 'could' for more tentative permission.
Frequency
Modal 'can' is extremely high-frequency in both, with AmE showing a slight preference for 'can' over 'could' in informal requests. The noun is common, but BrE often uses 'tin' for sealed food containers (e.g., 'a tin of beans').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
MODAL + base verb: She can swim.MODAL + not + base verb: You cannot park here.NOUN + of + [content]: a can of paintVERB TRANSITIVE: They can peaches in summer.VERB TRANSITIVE (slang): The boss canned him last week.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “can of worms”
- “carry the can”
- “in the can (finished/filmed)”
- “can it! (stop talking)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"We can deliver the product by Friday." (expressing capability/commitment)
Academic
"The model can be applied to various scenarios." (expressing possibility)
Everyday
"Can you pass the salt?" (request) / "I'll get a can of soda." (noun)
Technical
"The system can process up to 1000 requests per second." (capacity) / "Can the transaction." (computing command to cancel)
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Can you pop to the shops?
- We still can peaches from our orchard.
- He was canned for being late again.
American English
- Can you swing by the store?
- They can beans for the winter.
- The manager canned the entire team after the failed project.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I can swim.
- Can I have some water?
- This is a can of soup.
- She can speak three languages fluently.
- Can you tell me the time, please?
- He opened a can of paint.
- The software can be installed in minutes.
- If you can, please RSVP by Friday.
- The whole affair was a real can of worms.
- Such findings can be interpreted in multiple ways.
- One can but admire her tenacity.
- The film is finally in the can after months of editing.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A CAN is a container that CAN hold things. Think: 'I CAN do it' means I have the ability inside me, like a can holds contents.
Conceptual Metaphor
ABILITY IS A CONTAINER (e.g., 'She's full of talent' → she 'can' do many things). POSSIBILITY IS A PATH (e.g., 'We can go this way').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse 'can' (ability) with 'may' (permission) – Russian 'мочь' covers both.
- 'Can' for future ability often requires context; Russian might use future tense directly.
- Negative 'cannot/can't' is a single concept, not 'no can'.
- Noun 'can' (банка) vs. 'tin' (консервная банка) – usage differs.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'can' instead of 'could' for polite requests (e.g., 'Can you help me?' is more direct than 'Could you...?').
- Using 'can' to express future permission without context (e.g., 'You can go tomorrow' is fine, but 'You will can go' is incorrect).
- Omitting the main verb after 'can' (e.g., 'I can' – incomplete unless contextually clear).
- Misspelling 'cannot' as 'can not' in formal writing.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'can' to express permission?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Can' expresses present ability or permission; 'could' is the past tense of 'can' or is used for more polite/conditional/hypothetical situations.
In strict traditional grammar, 'may' is preferred for permission in formal contexts. However, 'can' for permission is widely accepted in standard modern English, especially in spoken language.
'Can' is a modal verb and doesn't have future forms. To express future ability, we use 'will be able to' (e.g., 'I will be able to drive soon').
The noun 'can' (container) comes from Old English 'canne', related to Dutch 'kan' and German 'Kanne', likely from a Proto-Germanic word for a drinking vessel.