I .
/ kən; NAmE ; kæn/ modal verb
—see also can (II) ( negative can·not / ˈkænɒt; NAmE -nɑːt/, short form can't / kɑːnt; NAmE kænt/, pt could / kəd; NAmE ; strong form kʊd/, negative could not , short form couldn't / ˈkʊdnt; NAmE /)
1.
used to say that it is possible for sb/sth to do sth, or for sth to happen :
I can run fast.
Can you call back tomorrow?
He couldn't answer the question.
The stadium can be emptied in four minutes.
I can't promise anything, but I'll do what I can.
Please let us know if you cannot attend the meeting.
2.
used to say that sb knows how to do sth :
She can speak Spanish.
Can he cook?
I could drive a car before I left school.
3.
used with the verbs 'feel', 'hear', 'see', 'smell', 'taste' :
She could feel a lump in her breast.
I can hear music.
4.
used to show that sb is allowed to do sth :
You can take the car, if you want.
We can't wear jeans at work.
5.
( informal ) used to ask permission to do sth :
Can I read your newspaper?
Can I take you home?
6.
( informal ) used to ask sb to help you :
Can you help me with this box?
Can you feed the cat, please?
7.
used in the negative for saying that you are sure sth is not true :
That can't be Mary—she's in New York.
He can't have slept through all that noise.
8.
used to express doubt or surprise :
What can they be doing?
Can he be serious?
Where can she have put it?
9.
used to say what sb/sth is often like :
He can be very tactless sometimes.
It can be quite cold here in winter.
10.
used to make suggestions :
We can eat in a restaurant, if you like.
I can take the car if necessary.
11.
( informal ) used to say that sb must do sth, usually when you are angry :
You can shut up or get out!
➡ note at modal
•
IDIOMS
- can't be doing with sth
- no can do
••
WHICH WORD
can / may
Can and cannot (or can't ) are the most common words used for asking for, giving or refusing permission:
Can I borrow your calculator?
•
You can come with us if you want to.
•
You can't park your car there.
May (negative may not ) is used as a polite and fairly formal way to ask for or give permission:
May I borrow your newspaper?
•
You may come if you wish.
It is often used in official signs and rules:
Visitors may use the swimming pool between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
•
Students may not use the college car park.
The form mayn't is almost never used in modern English.
••
GRAMMAR
can / could / be able to / manage
Can is used to say that somebody knows how to do something:
Can you play the piano?
It is also used with verbs of seeing, noticing, etc.:
I can hear someone calling
and with passive infinitives:
The DVD can be rented from your local store.
Can or be able to are used to say that something is possible or that somebody has the opportunity to do something:
Can you / are you able to come on Saturday?
You use be able to to form the future and perfect tenses and the infinitive:
You'll be able to get a taxi outside the station.
•
I haven't been able to get much work done today.
•
She'd love to be able to play the piano.
Could is used to talk about what someone was generally able to do in the past:
Our daughter could walk when she was nine months old.
You use was / were able to or manage (but not could ) when you are saying that something was possible on a particular occasion in the past:
I was able to / managed to find some useful books in the library.
• I could find some useful books in the library. In negative sentences, could not can also be used:
We weren't able to / didn't manage to / couldn't get there in time.
Could is also used with this meaning with verbs of seeing, noticing, understanding, etc.:
I could see there was something wrong.
Could have is used when you are saying that it was possible for somebody to do something in the past but they did not try:
I could have won the game but decided to let her win.
· note at may
II .
/ kæn; NAmE / noun , verb
—see also can (I)
■ noun
1.
( BrE also tin ) [ C ] a metal container in which food and drink is sold :
a can of beans
a beer / paint can
HELP NOTE : In NAmE can is the usual word used for both food and drink. In BrE can is always used for drink, but tin or can can be used for food, paint, etc.
2.
[ C ] the amount contained in a can :
We drank a can of Coke each.
3.
[ C ] a metal or plastic container for holding or carrying liquids :
an oil can
a watering can
4.
[ C ] a metal container in which liquids are kept under pressure and let out in a fine spray when you press a button on the lid :
a can of hairspray
5.
the can [ sing. ] ( NAmE , slang ) prison
6.
the can [ sing. ] ( NAmE , slang ) the toilet
•
IDIOMS
- a can of worms
- be in the can
—more at carry
■ verb ( -nn- ) [ vn ]
1.
( especially NAmE ) to preserve food by putting it in a can
2.
( NAmE , informal ) to dismiss sb from their job
SYN fire , sack
••
WORD ORIGIN
I . Old English cunnan know (in Middle English know how to ), related to Dutch kunnen and German können ; from an Indo-European root shared by Latin gnoscere know and Greek gignōskein know.
II . Old English canne , related to Dutch kan and German Kanne ; either of Germanic origin or from late Latin canna .