Can is now the verb of choice for ability, and both can and may are still used in the “possibility” sense. In reality, can likely has more use in the “permission” sense than is recorded, as it is more informal and so shows up in speech more frequently than may does. Can is also used to ask for permission, but it’s seen as more casual and shouldn’t be used in formal settings.
Possibility
It was a verb that originally meant “to know,” and then “to know how to do something,” and then “to have the ability to do something.” This last meaning, which showed up around 1300, was can’s first semantic overlap with may. Using can in this sense isn’t incorrect but it is considered informal. Can is used when you want to ask permission in a casual setting, and could is seen as more formal. You should also know that can is seen as an informal way of asking permission.
Use could to refer to someone’s ability in the past tense or indicate that something might happen, but it also might not happen. Use can to indicate someone’s ability in the present tense or indicate that there is a good chance treatment for alcohol problems of something happening. Could is the past tense modal verb used to express someone’s ability. Can is the present tense modal verb used to express someone’s ability.
Words That Turned 100 in 2025
When you’re talking about the possibility of something happening in the future, use can if something is very likely to happen. People often use can and could interchangeably, even though the words have slightly different meanings. To add can to a word list please sign up or log in. Learn a new word every day. 1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
verb (used with object)
Can expresses someone’s ability to do something, so use it when you want to say that someone is able to do something right now. (I don’t think it’s possible that you are on a diet because you still buy lots of chocolate.) You can’t just take the day off work.
More Learner’s Dictionary definitions for can
- (I don’t think it’s possible that you are on a diet because you still buy lots of chocolate.)
- You can’t just take the day off work.
- Can is often seen as more casual, while could is read as more polite and formal.
- Worthy and wicked (Words meaning ‘good’ and ‘bad’)
- People often use can and could interchangeably, even though the words have slightly different meanings.
Before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2 You can’t have arrived here earlier than me. In those days, you could buy everything in the local shop.
We can’t follow these instructions for installing this new DVD player. You have to have permission in advance. Can’t you ask for another day off work? I can’t believe you said that! He can hear the music from his room sometimes.
The “joke” here is based on the insistence that you should use may when asking for permission to do something, and can when speaking about ability. If you want to sound formal, use may. When referring to the possibility of something happening, can should be used if there’s a good chance that it will happen. Can is often seen as more casual, while could is read as more polite and formal.
Definition of can 1 modal verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary Get the Word of the Day every day! If all goes well, the coach secured with a proven approach could lead to a return to happier days. Worthy and wicked (Words meaning ‘good’ and ‘bad’)
Meaning of can in English
We use can’t have + -ed form as the negative form of must have + -ed. When we want to guess or predict something, we use can’t as the negative form of must. The negative form of can is can’t. May is the more formal word, and if you are at all concerned about being tut-tutted, a safe choice. It didn’t take too long for teachers and grammarians of the day to proscribe that can should only be used of ability and may of permission.
- Could is the past tense modal verb used to express someone’s ability.
- Can is used to describe scenarios that are more likely than not to happen, while could is used for scenarios that are less probable.
- Definition of can 1 modal verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
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- Can’t you ask for another day off work?
- In those days, you could buy everything in the local shop.
May is relatively rare in negative constructions (mayn’t is not common); cannot and can’t are usual in such contexts.
Question (?) form
” and the teacher responds, “I don’t know—can you? Can and may are both used to talk about permission. Can also implies that something is very likely to happen, while could means it could happen but also might not happen. Consider could a realist when it comes to possibilities—something might happen, but it also might not. Can is used to describe scenarios that are more likely than not to happen, while could is used for scenarios that are less probable. Could, on the other hand, should be used for things that have an equal chance of not happening.
Nearby words
Can is used to refer to someone’s ability in the present tense, whereas could is used in the past tense. Use could if you’re describing someone’s ability in the past tense. When you’re referring to someone’s ability to do something, use can in present-tense scenarios and could in past-tense situations. Both are modal verbs used to express ability or possibility; they can also be used to ask for permission. A strong pattern of sounds, words, or musical notes that is used in music, poetry, and dancing
We verb phrasecan take the train to Birmingham. There is no particular reason for the rule, except for the fact that may has been used longer to mean “to give permission” than can has. All four of these meanings were in use before 1000AD. May is the earlier verb, showing up in manuscripts from the 8th century.
The subject and can change position to form questions. It originally referred to having strength or power, and then very quickly developed a meaning that referred to ability. But the reality of the situation is that both can and may have been used historically to refer to permission and continue to be used so today. ” since their ability to use the facilities is likely not in question.
Why can’t you just be nice to her instead of upsetting her? Can you help me with this form? (It is possible for us to go to Rome because we don’t have to work in June.) I see this only as a possibility. We don’t normally use could to talk about what we believe to be true in the present. (We can’t understand these instructions.)
