Is it okay if I sit here? Use 'can' or 'be able to' to express an ability or possibility. Use 'can' to say that someone IS allowed to do something and 'cannot' or, 'can't,' to say that they do NOT have permission (are not allowed) to do something. Request Can you make me tea? “CAN” is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English. First, you will read an extract about real people with superhuman abilities and answer some questions about it. Can I take a look at your book? Do you mind if I turn down the TV? When we want to express permission, prohibition (not allowing something), obligation or no obligation we use modal verbs. Birds can fly. Example sentences with the word can. Permission – can, may, could 'Can' is most often used to ask for or give permission but 'may' and 'could' are also possible even though they are not used as often as 'can'. Both Can and Could are Modal Verbs. 6. 5. He could swim when he was five. Example: Students can register for fall classes beginning next week. Possibility Smoking can cause cancer. How to use can in a sentence. The three main uses of Can are: 1) ability 2) possibility and 3) permission. Can means to be (physically) able to do something OR to know how to do something.. He can play tennis well. They have permission to build 200 new houses. She is able to speak five languages. May I use your computer? 3. Permission Can I use your bike? NOTE: The future of 'be able to' is 'will be able to. 2. 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. Modal Verbs CAN, Using and Example Sentences Ability He can speak five languages. 4. Then, in the listening comprehension section, you will relate signs with meaning using Can for permission. We include BE ABLE TO here for … In this topic, you will learn how to use the modal verb Can to express ability and informal permission. 152+24 sentence examples: 1. can example sentences. Do you mind if I use your phone? In general Could is considered more polite (or formal) that Can.. CAN. May I come in? He asked permission to leave the room. Can I sit here? She begged permission to leave. Could in the past means the general ability to do something. CAN/COULD are modal auxiliary verbs. Use the modal verbs of permission, 'can,' or 'could,' to indicate whether someone has permission to do something or not. They can come on Friday. Offer Can I help you with this? Can I ask you a question? “CAN” is used with different meanings as a modal verb. We use CAN to: a) talk about possibility and ability b) make requests c) ask for or give permission. “Can” is an auxiliary verb ( modal auxiliary verb ). MODAL VERBS —– “CAN” “CAN” is one of the most used modal verbs in English. 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