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. Can is usually used in standard spoken english when asking for permission. 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.. Can synonyms, can pronunciation, can translation, english dictionary definition of can.
I can take a bus to the airport. Definition of can modal verb in oxford advanced american dictionary. The president can veto congressional bills.
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 tape recorder? See examples of can used in a sentence.
"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. We sometimes use be able to instead of "can" or "could" for ability.
Be able to is possible in all tenses - but "can" is possible only in the present and "could" is possible only in the past for ability.