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English The Easy Way : English Grammar : Various Verb Tenses

Verb Tense "Can"

How is the verb tense "can" used?

The verb tense "can" is used as both an auxiliary verb and a modal verb? Can is almost always used with a main verb.

Can is used to: Can't is used to state:
  • to request something
  • to state the something is not allowed
  • to request a favor from someone
  • to request something not be done
  • to ask for help
  • to state the inability of something or someone
  • to state the possibility of an event/activity
  • to deny permission
  • to state the ability of someone/something
  
  • to request permission from someone or for something
  
  • to ask for permission from someone or for something
  

Examples of the verb tense "can":

  • The cat can go to the store.
  • Can I go to school late on Tuesday?
  • You can't go to school late on Tuesday?
  • We can't help you clean the house.

The structure of the verb tense "can":

  1. When using as a verb or an auxiliary verb the verb tense "can" stays in its base form.
  2. Can doesn't change form according to the subject.
  3. Can is followed by a main verb tense. The main verb tense also stays in its base form. (The main verb tense that is used with can doesn't change form according to the subject.)
-
Subject
"Can"
-
Positive Sentences

I -All subjects*
can
go
to the store
Negative Sentences
We - All subjects*
can
not
go
to the store
Questions**
Can
they
-
go
to the store

* All subjects is I, we, they, you, plural nouns, singular nouns and uncountable nouns.

**Questions - Questions using the verb tense "can" the verb tense "can comes before the subject.

English The Easy Way : English Grammar : Various Verb Tenses

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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