can
Pronunciation
changeVerb
change
Present |
Past |
Negative |
- (modal) If someone can do something, they are able to do it.
- Most birds can fly.
- Can you speak English?
- I can't see it. It's too small.
- "Can you come?" "Yes, I think I can."
- This is a service that anyone can easily afford.
- (modal) If someone can do something, they are allowed to do it.
- You can't smoke here.
- Can I go now?
- (modal) You use can to ask somebody to do something (if you know the person well).
- Can you open the door for me, please?
- Can I have the salt, please?
- (modal) If something can happen, it is possible.
- It's so small that it can't be seen.
- There can't be any difference.
- Can the plan work?
- That can't be right.
- Imagine how bad it can get.
- (modal) If someone tells you something can't happen, they think it's not a good idea.
- You just can't keep smoking.
- You can't think things are going to get better.
- (modal) If something can happen, it happens sometimes.
- I can get really busy here on weekends.
- Her classes can be really interesting or really boring.
Related words
changeVerb
change
Plain form |
Third-person singular |
Past tense |
Past participle |
Present participle |
- (transitive) If someone cans something, they put in a can or jar to keep for a long time.
- We canned the peas for the winter.
- (transitive) If someone cans something, they stop working on it.
- The idea was canned.
- (transitive) If someone gets canned they have lost their job.
- (transitive), (slang) If you tell someone to can it, you want them to stop talking.
- Can it, would you? I'm trying to watch TV.