can he

USAGE SUMMARY

"can he" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used as a question to ask whether someone has the ability or permission to do something. For example, "Can he come to the party?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can he? Can he?

The Economist

Can he?

Forbes

Can he be serious?

The Guardian - Film

Can he grow up?

The New York Times

Can he cope?

Independent

"Can he see?

The New Yorker

Can he be both?

The New Yorker

Can he stand up?

The New York Times

Will he? Can he?

The New York Times - Magazine

Can he be fixed?

Independent

When can he start?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "can he", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are asking about ability, permission, or possibility. The intended meaning should be evident from the surrounding words.

Common error

Avoid using "can he" when you specifically need to know if someone has permission, not just the ability. Using "may he" is more appropriate for inquiries about permission.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "can he" is to form an interrogative sentence, seeking information about someone's ability, permission, or possibility. Ludwig shows the phrase's use in various questioning contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can he" is a common and grammatically sound interrogative used to inquire about someone's ability, permission, or possibility. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is prevalent across diverse contexts, with the majority of examples stemming from news and media sources. While maintaining a neutral register, its application spans from casual inquiries to more formal assessments of capability. Remember to consider context to avoid confusion between ability and permission, and explore alternatives like "is he able to" or "may he" for greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is he able to

Focuses on ability rather than possibility or permission.

will he be able to

Emphasizes future capability, adding a time dimension.

could he

Expresses possibility or past ability in a more tentative way.

is he capable of

Highlights the person's capability to perform a task.

does he have the capacity to

Replaces 'can' with a more formal expression of capacity.

has he the ability to

Focuses on inherent skill or talent.

is he going to

Shifts the focus to intention or future action.

is it possible for him to

Focuses on the possibility of an action.

is he permitted to

Highlights whether permission is granted.

may he

More formal way to inquire about permission.

FAQs

How do I use "can he" in a sentence?

Use "can he" as an interrogative to inquire about someone's ability, permission, or possibility of doing something. For example, "Can he finish the project on time?"

What's a more formal alternative to "can he"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "is he able to", "is he capable of", or if asking for permission, "may he".

When should I use "can he" vs. "could he"?

"Can he" typically refers to present ability or possibility, while "could he" can refer to past ability or a more hypothetical or polite inquiry. For example, "Can he swim?" versus "Could he have done more?"

Is "can he" grammatically correct?

Yes, "can he" is grammatically correct when used as an interrogative. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from reputable sources.