he can

USAGE SUMMARY

"he can" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to show ability. For example, "He can play the guitar better than anyone else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He can.

The New York Times - Arts

He can get behind?' Yes, he can.

The New York Times

"He can do that.

The New York Times - Magazine

Woods thinks he can.

The New York Times - Sports

It's doubtful he can.

The New York Times

He can differentiate.

The New Yorker

He can write.

The New York Times - Books

"He can create jobs".

The New York Times

"He can take it.

The New York Times - Sports

And he can rap.

The New York Times

He can return kicks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he can" to clearly and concisely express ability, permission, or possibility. For example, instead of saying "He is able to complete the task", say "He can complete the task".

Common error

While "he can" is generally acceptable, overuse in highly formal writing might sound too simplistic. In such cases, consider using alternatives like "he is capable of" or "he has the ability to" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he can" functions as a modal phrase, indicating ability, permission, or possibility. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase the phrase in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he can" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate ability, permission, or potential. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, and the numerous examples from diverse sources like The New York Times and BBC demonstrate its widespread usage. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. For heightened formality, consider alternatives such as "he is able to". In summary, "he can" is a reliable and common way to express someone's capabilities or permitted actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is able to

Replaces the modal verb "can" with the phrase "is able to", maintaining a similar meaning of capability.

he is capable of

Highlights his inherent capacity or skill to perform a task.

he has the ability to

Expresses the concept of capability using the noun "ability" instead of the modal verb "can".

he knows how to

Emphasizes his knowledge and understanding of how to do something.

he is permitted to

Indicates that he has permission to do something, implying he also has the ability.

he is allowed to

Similar to "he is permitted to", this expresses allowance or authorization.

it is possible for him to

Shifts the focus to the possibility of him doing something, implying he has the capacity.

he is empowered to

Suggests that he has been given the authority or power to do something.

he is in a position to

Indicates that he is in a situation where he is able to do something.

he is up to

Informal way of saying he is capable or has the energy to do something

FAQs

How to use "he can" in a sentence?

"He can" is used to indicate someone's ability or permission to do something. For example, "He can speak French fluently" or "He can leave early if he finishes his work".

What can I say instead of "he can"?

You can use alternatives like "he is able to", "he is capable of", or "he has the ability to" depending on the context.

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

"He can" is the correct form. "He is can" is grammatically incorrect. The modal verb "can" does not require the auxiliary verb "is".

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

"He can" refers to present ability or possibility, while "he could" often refers to past ability or a conditional possibility. For example, "He can swim now" versus "He could swim when he was younger".