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How can you use can in a sentence?

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Anonymous

12y ago
Updated: 8/20/2019

As English becomes more casual and less formal, many people mis-use the word "can"-- it literally means to be able, to be capable of. I can climb the stairs in ten seconds (in other words, I am physically able to do that). But "can" is not the same as "could" or "may," which are polite words that ask for permission to do something. Many people think "can" and "may" are the same, but they are really not. May I have an extra day to turn in my assignment? (Not "can"-- you are physically able to turn in the assignment, I hope, but you are asking permission in this sentence.) So... use "can" when showing an ability-- Denise can speak French fluently. But use "could" when asking permission-- Maria was wondering if she could play Basketball with us.

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Wiki User

12y ago

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