Some situations allow an action; others make it impossible.

The idea

Use can plus the base verb for general possibility. Use cannot or can’t plus the base verb for impossibility. The form stays the same for every subject.

Examples

  • You can buy bread at this market.
  • It can be cold near the lake.
  • You cannot park on this bridge.
  • Visitors can walk through the garden.
  • You can’t pay by card at the stall.
  • The river can rise quickly in spring.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not add to after can: say can use, not can to use. General possibility does not predict one particular event.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct form: The library has free Wi-Fi. You ___ use the internet there. (can / cannot)

    Show answer or example answer

    can

    can: free Wi-Fi makes internet use possible.

  2. Choose the correct form: The tunnel is closed to bicycles. You ___ cycle through it. (can / cannot)

    Show answer or example answer

    cannot / can’t / can't

    cannot or can’t: the tunnel is closed to bicycles.

  3. Choose the correct form: This desert sometimes gets very hot. It ___ be hot there. (can / cannot)

    Show answer or example answer

    can

    can: the heat happens sometimes, though not always.

Use it today

Describe two things possible in your town and one that is impossible.