Modal verb can translated as I can, I am able, I have the opportunity, The modal verb can shows the physical or mental ability to do something. This is its most common, but not the only meaning.

Examples of sentences with the verb can:

I can swim.
I can swim.

I can run fast.
I can run fast.

In fact, the modal verb can in English multiple values. It can be used in the following cases:

• To talk about the right to do something according to rules or law:

The Congress can form the budget.
Congress has the power to set the budget.

• To ask permission or give permission:

Can I go home?
Can I go home?

You can go home.
You can go home.

• The negative form of the verb can is used to express a prohibition:

You cannot smoke here.
You can't smoke here.

• In requests:

Can do you repeat your question?
Could you repeat your question?

At the same time, if you use could instead of can, then the request will be emphatically polite.

• To strengthen a statement containing disbelief, surprise or reproach:

She cannot be so young!
She can't be that young!

Can there will be so hot in January.
Is it really that hot there in January?

How are sentences constructed with the modal verb can?

The verb can is modal, which means that it is used not on its own, but in pairs with another (semantic) verb. The infinitive of the semantic verb is always placed immediately after the verb can.

For example:

Mike can play piano
Mike can play the piano.

Here play is a semantic verb.

The verb can has past form- could. When forming the past tense, only the verb can changes, the semantic verb does not change. Past tense examples:

John could drive a car since he was 14.
John could play the piano from the age of 14.

The verb can is not used in the future tense. But there is a construction "be able to" which is equivalent to the modal verb can and can be used instead of the verb can to form the future tense. For example:

Soon I will be able to speak English.
Soon I will be able to speak English.

The verb can, unlike most ordinary verbs, does not change for persons and does not require the auxiliary verb have to form interrogative and negative sentences.

Does not change by person:
I can...
You can…
He can...
She can...
It can...
They can...

Can and its past form could are practically the most frequently used modal. It is found in literature, in the media, and in colloquial speech. If we compare the frequency of use of can and could, it becomes clear that can is much more common. This is due to the fact that in colloquial speech and literature events occur mainly in the present tense, which means that can will be used in the meaning of physical possibility. Let's look at the grammatical features of these modal verbs and the features of their use.

Grammatical features of can and could

Like most modals, can/could are used without the to particle after them, that is, with the so-called “bare” or bare infinitive. The use of to after these modals is one of the most gross and cartoonish mistakes. This is equivalent to saying “he haves” instead of the grammatically correct “ ”. There are not so many modals that require a piece of the infinitive after themselves and they can be easily remembered. According to the general rule, to is not placed after modal verbs:

• I can do this of course, but you should be careful and take care of yourself - Of course, I can do this, but you should be careful and take care of yourself.
• Who can translate this text into Spanish? — I can, I am a translator but with little practice. — Who can translate this text into Spanish? — I can, I’m a translator, but I have little experience.
• Could you help me with this luggage? It’s too heavy and I have just had a surgery and not allowed to lift heavy things – Could you help me with my luggage? He is very heavy. And I just recently came out of surgery and I can’t lift weights.

In all three examples it is clear that after can/could there is a verb immediately without an infinitive particle.

The next feature, more related to can, is that this verb has the past tense form - could. It is used not only directly in the past tense, but also in sentences with speech agreement, as well as in conditional sentences.

• I could do it when I was younger, but I am not twenty now and even not thirty, you should admit. “I could do this when I was younger.” But I’m no longer twenty, or even thirty, as you must have noticed.

In this case, the speaker refers his speech to the past, when he could have performed a certain action. Here we simply use could in the basic meaning - the physical ability to do something in the past tense and nothing more.

• The doctor said that they could swim if they want to but not for long distances - The doctor said that they can swim if they want, but long distances must be avoided.

Here is a sentence that has obviously been translated from direct speech to indirect speech. According to the rule of tense agreement, can should have passed into the past tense, namely, become could due to the fact that in the first part of the sentence there is said - an indicator of the need for agreement.

In interrogative and negative sentences, can/could are used without auxiliary verbs and themselves take their place in sentences:

• Can we get out of here? I don’t like this place, I am scared and I don;t believe this woman, she looks strange – Can we get out of here? I don't like this place, I'm scared and I don't trust this woman. She looks strange.
• I can’t tell you the truth just because I don’t know all the details, I am not the person to be asked for truth in this matter – I can’t tell you the truth because I don’t know all the details. I am not the right person to ask about the truth regarding this situation.

In the first sentence in the question, can has taken the place of the auxiliary verb in the general question. And in the second case, it also stands where, according to the meaning, there should be an auxiliary with a negative particle not. These are reflections of the history of the development of modals, when auxiliary verbs had not yet appeared in the form as we know them, but modals already existed and were used. In order to emphasize the special status of most modals, later they began to be used without auxiliary verbs.

Can does not have a future tense form. This means that to denote a possibility in the future, the equivalent of to be able to is used:

• I will be able to read this book in English in a year I suppose - I think I can read this book in English.

Also, the modals can/could do not change across faces. That is, they use only one form:

• We can sing, she can sing, but you – you can’t at all – We can sing, she can sing, but you – you can’t at all.

Using can/could in different situations

As stated above, can, as a basic rule, denotes the physical or mental ability to do something. That is, this is what a person can do based on his own strengths and skills. This rule is best illustrated by cases for denoting physical possibility:

• I can swim well, don’t be afraid – I can swim, don’t worry.

The second case is a general possibility or probability, something that is easy to assume from the available facts.

• She can be there, it’s quite her style – to vanish in some hidden nook for a couple of days – She can be there, it’s like her to disappear for a couple of days and sit in some secluded corner.

The third is not a specific, but a theoretical possibility. Sentences of this type are familiar to everyone from school:

• You can see a lot of pictures in the museum – In the museum you can see a lot of paintings.

Can is often used in questions expressing a request. By the way, in negations that mean refusal, only can is used, as can be seen from the following example:

• Can I come in? - No, you can’t, I am too busy. - Can I come in? - No, you can’t, I’m very busy.

can has an equivalent - may. But even to a question that begins with may, the answer will still be can’t. This question is more formal and polite than the can option.

• May I take this cake? - No, you can’t. It's for guests. —Can I have some cake? - No, you can’t, this is for guests.

Could, as opposed to can, is used either as a more polite option or to express an action in the past. To indicate reproach, could + have +V3 is used:

• Look what you did! You could have been more careful! - Look what you've done! You could be more careful!

Not can climb any tree.
He can climb any tree.

After combination be able followed by an infinitive with the particle to.

He is able to climb any tree.
He can (he is able to) climb any tree.

Shapes:

CAN is used in all persons in the present tense in the form can + Indefinite Infinitive and relates the action to the present or future.

COULD is used in the past tense in the form could + Indefinite Infinitive and in conditional sentences.

Negative form: cannot (can’t), could not (couldn’t). (The negation not with the verb can is written together.)

Interrogative form: can I?, could I? etc.

Interrogative-negative form: can I not (can’t I)?, could I not (couldn’t I)? etc.

To be able (to) - equivalent to the verb Can

Negative form: I am not able (I’m not able), he is not able (he’s not able), etc.

Interrogative form: Am I able? Is he able? Are you able? etc.

Interrogative-negative form: Am I not able? Aren't I able? (ain't I able - colloquial version) Is he not able? (isn’t he able?), etc.

The use of can and its equivalent be able (to)

1. Can And be able (to) used to express physical ability or ability to perform an action.

NOTE that the modal verb can means the possibility of performing an action generally, usually, constantly, a to be able (to)- the ability to perform an action for a single, specific case. For example:

Can do you skate?
Do you skate? (You can ( at all) skate?)

Are you able to skate?
Are you able to skate (i.e. get back on skates after a fall, injury, etc.)?

I can swim across this river.
I can swim across this river (at all).

I am able to swim across this river.
I am able to swim across this river (now, when necessary).

Could do you speak English last year?
Were you able to speak English last year?

He wasn't able to come yesterday because he had no time.
He couldn't come yesterday because he didn't have time.

Can used to express a possibility caused by something (the state of something, circumstances, etc.).

You can ski on the hills. (There is enough snow.)
You can ski (walk) on the hills. (There is already quite a lot of snow.)

We couldn't bathe there. (The river was very deep.)
We couldn't swim there. (The river was very deep.)

Dad, can I change my job?
Father, can I change my job?

Form could to express a polite form, it can replace the word please in a sentence.

Could do you bring a piece of chalk?
Could you please bring a piece of chalk? (Please bring a piece of chalk.)

Granny, could I taste your pudding?
Grandma, can I try your pie?

BUT: If they want to emphasize the special significance of the permitted action, they use to allow in the passive voice - to be allowed.

Each child was allowed to take any book home. Mary chose "Robinson Crusoe".
Each child was allowed to take home any book. Mary chose Robinson Crusoe.

Please note:
1. Could can be used in the present tense if a condition is implied.

Could you get another job? Can you find another job (if you left this one)?
I could get you a ticket if you want one. I can get you a ticket if you want.

2. Can And could in combination with the verbs to see, to hear, to smell, to test and others expressing the feeling of perception, they are usually not translated into Russian.

Can you see that hill in the picture? Do you see this hill in the picture?
Can you hear the baby’s crying (weeping)?
Do you hear the baby crying?

4. Could + Perfect Infinitive used to express the ability, the ability to perform an action in the past. In this case, two meanings are expressed - the action is either not performed, or it is unknown whether it has been performed or not, i.e. doubt is expressed. Negative sentences express the improbability of an action.

The verb can belongs to a group of verbs that have certain features.

In this article I will tell you how this group of verbs differs from the rest, in what cases we use can, consider the past form of this verb and learn how to build all types of sentences with it.

Features of the use of verbs expressing the speaker’s attitude

Can belongs to a group of verbs that express the speaker's personal attitude. For example: opportunity, desire, duty, necessity, readiness.

Such verbs have a number of features that distinguish them from other verbs in the English language:

1. They are independent verbs.

With them you do not need to use do, does, did, will, etc. to ask a question or construct a negation. Not is added to them (in negation). And in questions they are placed first in the sentence.

He does not can fly.
He can't fly.

He cannot fly.
He can't fly.

Does he can fly?
Can he fly?

Can he fly?
Can he fly?

2. The particle to is never placed after such verbs.

He can't fly.
He can fly.

He canfly.
He can fly.

3. These verbs do not change their ending depending on the character

He can't fly.
He can fly.

He can fly.
He can fly.

Use of the verb can in English

The verb can is translated as “I can.” We use it when we talk about the present tense.

The verb can is used in the following situations:

1. When we talk about mental or physical ability
(I can swim, I can solve an equation)

I can dance.
I Can dance.

Tony can run fast.
Tony Maybe run fast.

2. When we ask permission to do something or ask about a request
(can I open the window, can I ask a question)

Can I look at this document?
Can should I take a look at this document?

Can she bring me coffee?
Maybe will she bring me coffee?

3. When we talk about the possibility of doing something
(I can help you, I can bring it)

4. When we talk about the likelihood that something will happen
(he might be late, it might be hard)

The verb can is in the past tense

The verb can has the past tense form could, which translates as “could”.

Could is used in the following situations:

1. To express the possibility or ability to do something in the past.
(could have tried, could have played all day as a child)

I could help.
I could help.

He could speak French.
He could To speak French.

Pay attention e: Could is used in another meaning that has nothing to do with the past tense. It is used:

2. To ask permission or express a request in a more polite manner than with can.
(could you close the window, could you bring me some water)

Could are we sitting?
Could should we sit down?

Could did you call Tom?
Could would you call Tom?

Could can you help me?
Could would you help me?

This form is very actively used when traveling, when you ask strangers to tell you something or help you.

Affirmative sentences with the verb can/could

Affirmative sentences - when we affirm something, that is, we say that someone can/could do something.

The verb can is independent on its own, so it does not require other auxiliary verbs. Also remember that it does not change in any way depending on the character. The sentence formation scheme will be like this:

The one in question + can/could + action

I
You
We		dance
They	can/could	swim
She		cook
He
It

You can invite other people.
You can invite other people.

He could kiss her.
He could kiss her.

Negative sentences with the verb can/could

By using this verb in a negative sentence, we say that someone does something can't/couldn't. In this case, we add the negative particle not to can. Sentence formation scheme:

The one in question + can/could + not + action

I
You
We			dance
They	can/could	not	swim
She			cook
He
It

Note: Can and the particle not are written in one word, that is, we do not put a space between them: cannot.

She cannot stop crying.
She can not stop crying.

I could not go to the cinema.
I couldn't go to the cinema.

Abbreviations:

When negated, we can use the following abbreviations:

can + not = can’t

could + not = couldn’t

I can’ t answer your question.
I I can not answer your question.

She couldn't’ t leave a lesson.
She I could not leave the lesson.

Interrogative sentences with the verb can/could

To ask someone if they can do something, we need to be able to construct interrogative sentences. To ask the question can we put it first. Sentence formation scheme:

Can/could + the person in question + action?

	I
	you
	we	dance?
Can/could	they	cook?
	she	swim?
	he
	it

Can are we talking?
Can shall we talk?

Could do you explain this rule?
Could could you explain this rule to me?

When answering, you can use can/cannot:

Yes, I can.
Yes I can.

No, I cannot.
No I can not.

As well as other expressions suitable in meaning. For example:

Of course.
Certainly.

Sure.
Certainly.

I think so.
I think yes.

I doubt it.
I doubt.

I'm afraid not.
I'm afraid not.

Interrogative sentences with clarifying words

To clarify any information we are interested in, we can use the following words when asking a question:

• What - what
• Where - where
• Who - who
• Which - which
• Why - why
• When - when

To construct a question with these words, we put them in first place, the rest of the word order remains as in a regular question. Scheme for forming such a question:

Clarifying words + can/could + the person in question + action?

		I
		you
What		we	write?
Where	can/could	they	cook?
When		she	dance?
		he
		it

When can you call me?
When can you call me?

What could I tell him?
What could I tell him?

So, today we got acquainted with the verb can, which has certain features in its use. If you still have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments. Now is the time to move on to practice.

Reinforcement task

Translate the following sentences into English. Leave your answers in the comments below the article, and I will answer them.

1. Can you remind me to take an umbrella? Yes I can.
2. He could have warned you.
3. They cannot swim across this river.
4. Could you wait? Yes, I could wait.
5. She couldn't speak English.
6. Can your friends turn off the music? No, they can't turn off the music.
7. He can drive a car.
8. Can she sing a song?

Modal verbs are verbs that characterize the responsibilities, capabilities, desires and necessity of action. They directly convey the speaker’s attitude to what is happening.
Despite the fact that modal verbs are strong and do not require the use of an auxiliary verb, when constructing interrogative and negative sentences, they cannot be used independently without a semantic verb:

I cannot fly. - I can not fly.
You may go. - You can go.

In English, modal verbs are used independently only when they form a short answer, or the meaning of the statement is clear from the previous context in which semantic (weak) verbs are used:

- Can you read this?
-I can.

Most people cannot run as fast as animals, but some can.

In English for expression possibilities/impossibility or abilities/inabilities to do something, two modal verbs are most often used - can And may.

They do not change in persons and numbers, as evidenced by the absence of an ending -s- in the present simple tense, do not have all the usual forms for weak verbs (for example, the ending -ing) and do not require the help of an auxiliary verb do/ does/ did.

Can vs. May

Can And may have a meaning in Russian be able/ be able/ allow. It’s worth noting right away that in most cases they are not interchangeable. In the image accompanying the illustration of the article there is a saying:

Do as you may if you can’t do as you could.

This aphorism uses three modal verbs at once and all three will have different shades of meaning. The sentence itself is translated as follows:

Do as you are allowed, if you are prohibited from doing as you could.

There are certain criteria when choosing a particular verb.

Can has two forms in English - the present tense form and the past tense form could, which will also be used in the subjunctive mood.
However, in English it is possible to use a modal verb can in the future tense. In this case, it will be replaced by an equivalent verb to be able to do smth.

I can read English.- Present Simple
He thought he could do it alone.- Past Simple
I wish I could see it.
He told me he could have seen it earlier.- Perfect

She will be able to finish the painting in Summer.- Future

May used in English in the form of present and past tense might, which can also be found in sentences in the subjunctive mood.

May I come in?- Present Simple
They might come yesterday.- Past Simple
He might be at home.- Subjunctive mood (subjunctive mood)

Use of Can and May

Modal verb can has a wider range of applications compared to the verb may.

1. For expression ability or ability to do something use can:

I can swim. Can you?

2. Can also used to indicate possibilities(theoretical or according to some rules):

You can find it in any dictionary.
Russian Railways can change the fares seasonally.- Russian Railways may change tariffs depending on the season.

3. When prohibited used for something cannot (can't). You can also find prohibitions with may, but they will sound too “soft”:

You cannot talk too loud in the library.- You can't speak loudly in the library.
You may not talk loudly in the library.- You are not allowed to speak loudly in the library.

4. Request can be expressed through can or could. The latter in this case will have emphatically polite treatment:

Can you pass me some butter?
Could you pass me some butter?

5. When expressing surprise in interrogative sentences or reproach the narrative often uses a modal verb can. Its shape could will reflect the extreme degree of the condition:

How can you be so rude?- How can you be so rude?
You could tell me in the end.- In the end, you could have told me!

6. Cannot (can't) used to denote strong mistrust:

She can't work there.- Yes, she can’t work there.
They couldn't have done it.- They just couldn't do it.

Please note that in almost all cases of use could, verb emphasizes exaggerated attitude speaking to current events.

In situations where you ask permission to do something can be used both modal verbs. Offers with may at the same time they will sound more formally:

You can come in.- You can come in.
You may come in.- Come in./ You can come in.

Modal verbs may/might contain character speaker's uncertainty regarding the events described. As with could, past form might transmits greater degree of uncertainty:

Somebody's calling. It may be Mary.- Someone is calling. Perhaps it's Mary.
It may rain. Take an umbrella.- It can start raining. Take an umbrella.

Modal verb may most often used when especially polite treatment:

May I sit down?- Can I sit down? / Let me sit down?
Can I sit down? would rather be translated “Can I sit down?”

Often might used when expressing reproach. The sentence sounds especially caustic:

You might have told me beforehand.- I could have warned you in advance.

In this article we started a big important topic on modal verbs and talked about two of them. In future publications we will definitely try to highlight the remaining representatives of this category.

We wish you to be able to master this grammar material! May success be with you!

Victoria Tetkina