Grammar
he cans); questions and negatives are made without do (Can I?, Could I? not Do I can?, Did I could?); these verbs are followed by the infinitive without to (e. g.: I can do it.). 'Can' and 'could' have no infinitive or participles (to can, canning do not exist).
Patterns. Read and memorize!
Note 1: - the modal verb 'can' has only two forms – can in the present and could in the past. The missing tense is supplied by the future of to be able.
E. g. : I shall be able to prepare for my exams.
Note 2: - There are contracted negative form can’t, couldn’t.
E. g.: I can’t understand.
Be careful about the pronunciation of 'can’t': in British English it has a quite different vowel from 'can'.
Can [kᴂnt]; can’t [kɑːnt] (GB), [kᴂnt] (US).
Read more »
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Grammar
Modal Verbs: Can
The Forms, Meanings and Use of the Modal Verb CAN (COULD).
Can and could are modal auxiliary verb, like for example must, may and should. Like other modal verbs, 'can' has no –s on the third person singular (he can, notPatterns. Read and memorize!
| Affirmative | Interrogative | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| I can swim. | Can I swim? | I cannot swim. |
| He can swim. | Can he swim? | He cannot swim. |
| She can swim. | Can she swim? | She cannot swim. |
| It can swim. | Can it swim? | It cannot swim. |
| We can swim. | Can we swim? | We cannot swim. |
| You can swim. | Can you swim? | You cannot swim. |
| They can swim. | Can they swim? | They cannot swim. |
E. g. : I shall be able to prepare for my exams.
Note 2: - There are contracted negative form can’t, couldn’t.
E. g.: I can’t understand.
Be careful about the pronunciation of 'can’t': in British English it has a quite different vowel from 'can'.
Can [kᴂnt]; can’t [kɑːnt] (GB), [kᴂnt] (US).
Read more »
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DareAs a modal verb dare has two forms: dare for the present and dared for the past. It is used mostly in interrogative and negative sentences. 'Dare' means 'to have the courage to do something'. In negative sentences it denotes lack...
- Modal Verb Need
The verb need has two sets of forms: those of a 'modal auxiliary verb', and those of an 'ordinary verb'. As a modal verb need has no –s on the third person singular, no infinitives and participles; it combines with a bare infinitive;...
- Modal Verb May
The Forms, Meanings and Use of the Modal Verb MAY (MIGHT). May and might are modal auxiliary verb, like for example must , can and ought. These verbs have no infinitives or participles (to may, mighted, maying do not exist), question and negatives...
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I’ve been thinking about writing this article for quite some time now and, at some point, I even decided to experiment and spend a day at work listening to people speak English only just to try and catch as many modal verbs as possible. I advise...