I. MODAL USES
/kən, STRONG kæn/
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
Note: 'Can' is a modal verb. It is used with the base form of a verb. The form 'cannot' is used in negative statements. The usual spoken form of 'cannot' is 'can’t', pronounced / kɑ:nt, AM kænt /.
1.
You use can when you are mentioning a quality or fact about something which people may make use of if they want to.
Pork is also the most versatile of meats. It can be roasted whole or in pieces...
A central reservation number operated by the resort can direct you to accommodations that best suit your needs...
A selected list of some of those stocking a comprehensive range can be found in Chapter 8.
MODAL
2.
You use can to indicate that someone has the ability or opportunity to do something.
Don’t worry yourself about me, I can take care of myself...
I can’t give you details because I don’t actually have any details...
See if you can find Karlov and tell him we are ready for dinner...
‘You’re needed here, Livy’—‘But what can I do?’...
Customers can choose from sixty hit titles before buying...
MODAL
3.
You use cannot to indicate that someone is not able to do something because circumstances make it impossible for them to do it.
We cannot buy food, clothes and pay for rent and utilities on $20 a week...
She cannot sleep and the pain is often so bad she wants to scream.
MODAL
4.
You use can to indicate that something is true sometimes or is true in some circumstances.
...long-term therapy that can last five years or more...
Exercising alone can be boring...
Coral can be yellow, blue, or green.
MODAL
5.
You use cannot and can’t to state that you are certain that something is not the case or will not happen.
From her knowledge of Douglas’s habits, she feels sure that the attacker can’t have been Douglas...
Things can’t be that bad...
You can’t be serious, Mrs Lorimer?
MODAL
6.
You use can to indicate that someone is allowed to do something. You use cannot or can’t to indicate that someone is not allowed to do something.
You must buy the credit life insurance before you can buy the disability insurance...
Here, can I really have your jeans when you grow out of them?...
We can’t answer any questions, I’m afraid...
MODAL
7.
You use cannot or can’t when you think it is very important that something should not happen or that someone should not do something.
It is an intolerable situation and it can’t be allowed to go on...
The Commission can’t demand from Sweden more than it demands from its own members.
= mustn’t
MODAL [ emphasis ]
8.
You use can , usually in questions, in order to make suggestions or to offer to do something.
This old lady was struggling out of the train and I said, ‘Oh, can I help you?’...
Hello John. What can we do for you?...
You can always try the beer you know–it’s usually all right in this bar.
MODAL
9.
You use can in questions in order to make polite requests. You use can’t in questions in order to request strongly that someone does something.
Can I have a look at that?...
Can you please help?...
Can you fill in some of the details of your career?...
Why can’t you leave me alone?
MODAL [ politeness ]
10.
You use can as a polite way of interrupting someone or of introducing what you are going to say next. ( FORMAL, SPOKEN )
Can I interrupt you just for a minute?...
But if I can interrupt, Joe, I don’t think anybody here is personally blaming you...
= may
MODAL
11.
You use can with verbs such as ‘imagine’, ‘think’, and ‘believe’ in order to emphasize how you feel about a particular situation. ( INFORMAL or SPOKEN )
You can imagine he was terribly upset...
You can’t think how glad I was to see them all go...
MODAL [ emphasis ]
12.
You use can in questions with ‘how’ to indicate that you feel strongly about something. ( SPOKEN )
How can you complain about higher taxes?...
How can you say such a thing?...
How can you expect me to believe your promises?
MODAL [ emphasis ]
II. CONTAINER
/kæn/
( cans, canning, canned)
1.
A can is a metal container in which something such as food, drink, or paint is put. The container is usually sealed to keep the contents fresh.
...empty beer cans.
...cans of paint and brushes.
= tin
N-COUNT
2.
When food or drink is canned , it is put into a metal container and sealed so that it will remain fresh.
...fruits and vegetables that will be canned, skinned, diced or otherwise processed...
It was always roast lamb and canned peas for Sunday lunch.
= tin
VERB : usu passive , be V-ed , V-ed
3.
The can is the toilet. ( AM INFORMAL )
N-SING : the N
4.
If you are canned , you are dismissed from your job. ( AM INFORMAL )
The extremists prevailed, and the security minister was canned...
VERB : be V-ed
5.
see also canned