Grammar - Modal Verb Can (Three forms)

 

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."