Used to indicate possession of a specified power, right, or privilege. The president can veto congressional bills.

"Can" is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English. It can be used to express ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or impossibility.

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The use of can to ask or grant permission has been common since the 19th century and is well established, although some feel may is more appropriate in formal contexts. May is relatively rare in negative constructions (mayn't is not common); cannot and can't are usual in such contexts.

You use can to indicate that someone has the ability or opportunity to do something. Don't worry yourself about me, I can take care of myself. I can't give you details because I don't actually have any details. The United States will do whatever it can to help Greece.

Define can. can synonyms, can pronunciation, can translation, English dictionary definition of can. to be able to, have the power or skill to: I can take a bus to the airport.

The present tense negative can not is usually contracted to cannot (more formal) or can’t (less formal). The use of can in asking permission is sometimes criticized as being impolite or incorrect by those who favour the more formal alternative β€œmay I...?”.