The Use of 'Can' in English: Clarifying Common Misunderstandings

This post delves into the often misunderstood usage of the modal verb 'can', particularly in comparison to 'will be able to'. Many English learners and enthusiasts alike have grappled with the correct way to express future possibilities and permissions with these verbs. This article aims to demystify the misuse and provide a clearer understanding of English grammar.

The Irregularity of 'Can'

The verb 'can' is a modal auxiliary verb used to express ability or permission. Unlike other verbs, it has no future tense form – meaning 'will be able to' cannot be used as a substitute for 'can'. For example:

"He can come to the party tomorrow night."

This sentence indicates that the person has the ability or permission to attend the party in the future. It does not require the use of 'will be able to', as 'can' encompasses the future ability or permission as well.

The Past Tense of 'Can'

The past tense of 'can' is 'could', which is used to refer to previous abilities or permissions. For example:

"When I was a child, I could climb trees and I could also ride public transport for free."

In modern usage, 'can' is used to express current possibility or permission, and it does not need to be replaced with a more complex phrase like 'will be able to'. English is often simplified by using shorter, more straightforward forms.

Colloquial Usage of 'Can'

It is worth noting that colloquial speech tends to be less formal and more fluid. In everyday conversation, people may use 'can' where a more formal sense of ability might be replaced by 'may' or 'will be able to'. For example:

"I can go to the party tomorrow night. (or) He can stay until midnight or he may stay until midnight.)"

The use of 'can' here is entirely valid, and it serves to emphasize the ability or permission without the need for additional words.

Correct Future Tense Expression

When expressing future ability or permission, 'will be able to' is the correct form. This construction emphasizes the future aspect of the action:

"By next year, I will be able to travel the world freely."

'Can' and 'will be able to' have their specific uses. 'Can' is used for current abilities or permissions, while 'will be able to' is specifically for future abilities. To avoid confusion, it is important to understand the subtle differences between these two modal verbs.

Conclusion: Practical Suggestions

To avoid misusing 'can' and 'will be able to', consider the following steps:

Understand the current usage of 'can' for ability or permission. Recognize the future tense requirement with 'will be able to'. Consult a reliable grammar guide such as 'Practical English Usage' for further clarification.

With practice, you'll find that these nuances in English grammar become more intuitive. If you have any further questions or need more clarification, consider consulting resources like 'Practical English Usage' or seeking advice from a language expert.