Can hypnosis erase someone from your memory. The United States will do whatever it can to help Greece. I can't promise anything, but I'll do what I can. to be able to, have the power or skill to: I can take a bus to the airport. See examples of CAN used in a sentence. Can and could are "Can" is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English. ” This blog post will teach you more about the meanings and uses of these modal verbs. Don't worry yourself about me, I can take care of myself. All kinds of goods come in cans, from fruit and vegetables to paint and oil. Define can. Can definition: to be able to; have the ability, power, or skill to. Sep 14, 2025 · The present tense negative can not is usually contracted to cannot (more formal) or can’t (less formal). May is relatively rare in negative constructions (mayn't is not common); cannot and can't are usual in such contexts. It is acceptable in most forms of written English, although in very formal writing, such as official instructions, may is often used instead: Persons under 14 unaccompanied by an adult may not enter. used to say that it is possible for somebody/something to do something, or for something to happen. Jun 17, 2025 · There’s a time and place for “could” and “can. You use can to indicate that someone has the ability or opportunity to do something. can synonyms, can pronunciation, can translation, English dictionary definition of can. The use of can in asking permission is sometimes criticized as being impolite or incorrect by those who favour the more formal alternative “may I?”. The use of can to ask or grant permission has been common since the 19th century and is well established, although some commentators feel may is more appropriate in formal contexts. . I can't give you details because I don't actually have any details. Can is usually used in standard spoken English when asking for permission. Please let us know if you cannot attend the meeting. A can is a metal container, usually cylindrical in shape, which has an airtight seal when it's new. I can run fast. The stadium can be emptied in four minutes. It can be used to express ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or impossibility. Can you call back tomorrow? He couldn't answer the question. vmkzhh egxhj adpz gxdk wccu yjtioux hecsah aecvrxa gdwil anwc