Modal Verb Can
1. Affirmative Form
Structure:
Subject + can + base form of the verb
Uses:
- Ability:
Expressing capability or skill.
- Permission:
Granting permission to do something.
- Possibility:
Describing something that is possible in the present or future.
- Request:
Making polite requests.
Examples:
- Ability:
"She can swim very fast."
- Permission:
"You can leave early if you finish your work."
- Possibility:
"It can rain later today."
- Request:
"Can you help me with this?"
2. Interrogative Form
Structure:
Can +
subject + base form of the verb?
Uses:
- Asking
about ability, permission, or possibility.
- Making
polite requests.
Examples:
- Ability:
"Can he solve this problem?"
- Permission:
"Can I borrow your pen?"
- Possibility:
"Can it be true?"
- Request:
"Can you pass the salt, please?"
3. Negative Form
Structure:
Subject +
cannot (can’t) + base form of the verb
Uses:
- Inability:
Expressing that someone is not able to do something.
- Prohibition:
Indicating that something is not allowed.
- Impossibility:
Stating that something is not possible.
Examples:
- Inability:
"I can’t play the piano."
- Prohibition:
"You can’t park here."
- Impossibility:
"This can’t be true."