Uses of can in grammar

In addition, "can" and "could" have no infinitive form. So we use be able to when we want to use other tenses or the infinitive. EnglishClub : Learn English : Grammar : Verbs : Modals : can, could, be able to can, could, be able to can and could are modal auxiliary verbs. Can you play tennis? Notice that: Can is invariable. There is only one form: can The main verb is always the bare infinitive.

The main verb is always the bare infinitive infinitive without to. We cannot say: I can to play tennis. We cannot say: I could to play tennis. We don't add an 'S' in the third person like other verbs.

To form the negative we add " not " after can to form one word: cannot. Not necessarily saying YOU can't run naked in the middle of the street but in general it is not possible for anyone. Try our Can - Can't - Cannot Game. See our notes about other Modal Verbs. If you found these English Grammar Rules about Can vs Could interesting or useful, let others know about it:.

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Comparison: adjectives bigger , biggest , more interesting Comparison: clauses bigger than we had imagined Comparison: comparisons of equality as tall as his father As … as. Adverbs Adverb phrases Adverbs and adverb phrases: position Adverbs and adverb phrases: typical errors Adverbs: forms Adverbs: functions Adverbs: types Comparison: adverbs worse, more easily Fairly Intensifiers very, at all Largely Much , a lot , lots , a good deal : adverbs Pretty Quite Rather Really Scarcely Very.

Above or over? Across , over or through? Advice or advise? Affect or effect? All or every? All or whole? Allow , permit or let? Almost or nearly? Alone , lonely , or lonesome? Along or alongside? Already , still or yet? Also , as well or too? Alternate ly , alternative ly Although or though? Altogether or all together? Amount of , number of or quantity of?

Any more or anymore? Anyone , anybody or anything? Apart from or except for? Arise or rise? Around or round? Arouse or rouse?

As or like? As , because or since? As , when or while? Been or gone? Begin or start? Beside or besides? Between or among? Born or borne? Bring , take and fetch Can , could or may? Classic or classical? Come or go? Consider or regard? Consist , comprise or compose? Content or contents? Different from , different to or different than? Do or make? Down , downwards or downward? During or for? Each or every? East or eastern ; north or northern?

Economic or economical?