can

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'can' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'can' to indicate the ability to do something, as in the following example: "I can see that the client is unhappy with the proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of course, it can.

The New York Times

One can see why.

The New York Times

Of course he can.

The New York Times

"We're working hard over the holiday period to make the necessary adjustments to our timetable as a consequence, and to provide as much information as we can".

The Guardian - Business

Who can blame him?

The New York Times

What more can I say?

The New York Times - Sports

As the Global Times is an offshoot of the Chinese Communist party's official newspaper, the People's Daily, we can assume its blunt diagnosis reflects the governmental view.

The Guardian - Opinion

That can only be a good thing".

The Guardian

Who can say?

The New York Times

"We do not know if the Chibok girls can be rescued.

The Guardian

We are very aware of the impact it will have on those involved and we are doing all we can to provide our support to those injured and their families.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing strong certainty, consider using "will" instead of "can" to convey a higher degree of confidence.

Common error

While "can" is versatile, overusing it can make your writing sound less formal. In academic or professional contexts, consider alternatives like "is able to" or "has the capacity to" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The modal verb "can" primarily functions to express ability, permission, or possibility. As Ludwig examples illustrate, it's used in diverse contexts, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the modal verb "can" is a highly versatile term used to express ability, permission, or possibility across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and its frequency is classified as very common. While useful, avoid overuse in highly formal writing and consider alternatives like "is able to" or "has the capacity to". Authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times frequently employ "can", solidifying its status as a cornerstone of English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is able to

Expresses capability or ability in a more formal way.

has the ability to

Emphasizes the presence of a skill or talent.

has the capacity to

Highlights the potential or inherent ability to do something.

is capable of

Similar to "is able to", but often implies a natural talent or skill.

knows how to

Highlights learned skill or knowledge required to perform an action.

is permitted to

Focuses on permission or allowance rather than ability.

is allowed to

Similar to "is permitted to", emphasizing authorization.

may

Suggests possibility or permission, often used interchangeably with "can".

might

Implies a lower probability or a more conditional possibility.

could

Expresses past ability or conditional possibility.

FAQs

How to use "can" in a sentence?

"Can" is used to express ability, possibility, or permission. For example, "I "can speak French"", "It "can rain tomorrow"", or "You "can leave early"".

What can I say instead of "can"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "is able to", "may", or "is permitted to".

Which is correct, "can" or "may"?

Both "can" and "may" express possibility, but "may" is often used to indicate permission, while "can" generally indicates ability. For instance, "You "may leave"" suggests permission, while "You "can leave"" implies you have the ability to do so.

What's the difference between "can" and "could"?

"Can" typically refers to present ability or possibility, while "could" often refers to past ability or conditional possibility. For example, "I "can swim"" (present ability) vs. "I "could swim" when I was younger" (past ability).