Can You Belay Yourself, The words "can" and "can't" are both forms of the modal verb "can" and are used to express ability, possibility, permission, and requests. It is also used to express or ask for permission to do something, to describe the possibility that something can happen, and to issue requests and offers. As a modal auxiliary verb, can is most often used to express a person or thing’s ability to do something. The president can veto congressional bills. The United States will do whatever it can to help Greece. You use can to indicate that someone has the ability or opportunity to do something. Define can. can synonyms, can pronunciation, can translation, English dictionary definition of can. 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. Despite the insistence by some, that can means only “to be able” and may means “to be permitted,” both are regularly used in seeking or granting permission: Can (or May) I borrow your umbrella? A steel can, tin can, tin (especially in British English, Australian English, Canadian English and South African English), or can is a container made of thin metal, for distribution or storage of goods. m1j3cvef, wcinmr, ka5gq, owi, ake, b5, n1s, ubih, rw, bx4u,