Modal Verbs Can, How to Use Modal Verbs in English

THE MODAL VERBS- CAN

Can is used when talking about talents, the ability to do a job.

Can – usage areas

1. When we allow someone to do an action or ask permission to perform an action, we use can.

Example Sentences

As long as you live here, you can use all my stuff.
You can join the party tonight, not too late. Please be home at 2:00.

(For English Modals Table and Example Sentences)

2. When we talk about our abilities, we use ‘can‘ if we have the ability to perform an action. Likewise, when we do not have the ability to perform an action, we can use can. If we want to say that we cannot do a job, that we do not have the talent, we must use the negative state of can. Ie ‘can not’.

He has lived in Germany for 10 years so he can speak German very well.

3. In intimate environments, if we want to make a request, we can use ‘can’. It would be more appropriate to prefer to use ‘could’ when we want to ask in official environments.

Can you get me a glass of water from the kitchen?
My cat will run out, can you please close the door?

4. Use of can in negative sentences: If it is impossible for us to do an action, we use ‘can not’. In the same way, if we do not have the ability to perform an action, we make negative sentences. The short form is “can’t”.

My dog looks very thirsty. But it can’t be thirsty because it just drank a bowl of water.

5. Question sentences established with Can: In both positive and negative forms, we can form a question sentence, ‘Can’ is written at the beginning of the positive question sentences, ‘can’t’ is written at the beginning of the negative question sentences.