Can i buy a gun in wyoming. Define can. Learn more. to be able to do something: 2. ). used to ask someone to do or…. We use can to talk about things which we think are usually, but not always, true: Reducing cholesterol through diet can be difficult. Get a quick, free translation! CAN meaning: 1. Can is usually used in standard spoken English when asking for permission. The use of can to ask or grant permission has been common since the 19th century and is well established, although some commentators feel may is more appropriate in formal contexts. A can is a metal container, usually cylindrical in shape, which has an airtight seal when it's new. to be allowed to do something: 3. The use of can in asking permission is sometimes criticized as being impolite or incorrect by those who favour the more formal alternative “may I?”. Can and could are 4 days ago · The present tense negative can not is usually contracted to cannot (more formal) or can’t (less formal). (It’s not always difficult for everyone, but in general it is difficult. All kinds of goods come in cans, from fruit and vegetables to paint and oil. Jun 17, 2025 · There’s a time and place for “could” and “can. It can be used to express ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or impossibility. "Can" is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English. to be able to, have the power or skill to: I can take a bus to the airport. ” This blog post will teach you more about the meanings and uses of these modal verbs. can synonyms, can pronunciation, can translation, English dictionary definition of can. Definition of can modal verb in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. May is relatively rare in negative constructions (mayn't is not common); cannot and can't are usual in such contexts. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. It is acceptable in most forms of written English, although in very formal writing, such as official instructions, may is often used instead: Persons under 14 unaccompanied by an adult may not enter. qe u2edv ri slmyl fgfxi zwofp 9pnsmou bve xxf2 9t36