Can In Present Tense: 7 Facts You Should Know

Modal auxiliary verbs are the common verbs to represent “hypothetical situations”. “Can” is the most common among them. Let us discuss the usage of ‘can’ in the present tense.

The modal verb “can,” along with the root form of the main verb, is the best way to show someone’s ability or any possibility in the present tense.

Now, we are going to learn facts and explanations related to the use of “can” in the present tense.

Forms of can used in present tense –

We can use the modal auxiliary verb “can” in both affirmative and negative present tense sentence. Let us go through two forms of “can” in present tense.

Serial Number	Type of Sentence	Person	Form
1	Affirmative Present Tense	First Person Singular Number	can
2	Affirmative Present Tense	First Person Plural Number	can
3	Affirmative Present Tense	Second Person Singular Number	can
4	Affirmative Present Tense	Second Person Plural Number	can
5	Affirmative Present Tense	Third Person Singular Number	can
6	Affirmative Present Tense	Third Person Plural Number	can
7	Negative Present Tense	First Person Singular Number	cannot / can’t
8	Negative Present Tense	First Person Plural Number	cannot / can’t
9	Negative Present Tense	Second Person Singular Number	cannot / can’t
10	Negative Present Tense	Second Person Plural Number	cannot / can’t
11	Negative Present Tense	Third Person Singular Number	cannot / can’t
12	Negative Present Tense	Third Person Plural Number	cannot / can’t

Example – I can swim better than any of my friends, but only in the pond in my village.

Explanation –

The modal auxiliary verb ‘can’ is used to show ‘possible ability or the determination of the speaker in the present mode of tense.

How can is used in present tense?

We use the modal auxiliary verb “can” in three types of sentences in the present tense. We will now check the formation of three types of sentences.

Serial Number	Type of Sentence	Example
1	Affirmative Present Tense Sentence with “Can”	I am sure that I can crack the interview today.
2	Negative Present Tense Sentence with “Can”	I am sure that I cannot crack the interview.
3	Interrogative  Present Tense Sentence with “Can”	Can I crack the interview today?

Explanation –

In the first two examples, the modal auxiliary verb “can” has been placed just after the subject, and in the third example, the modal auxiliary verb “can” has been placed at the beginning of the sentence while the subject comes just after the modal auxiliary verb.

When can is used in present tense?

The modal auxiliary verb “can” is used in the present tense to show some particular situations. A list of situations is given below.

1. To show “ability”
2. To show “inability”
3. To ask for “permission”
4. To give “permission”
5. To deny any “permission”
6. To show “open possibility”
7. To do “inquiry”
8. To show “refusal”

Example – You cannot come to visit my private chamber without any prior intimation.

Explanation –

The modal verb “can” is in use to show “denial of permission” in this negative present tense. We should mark the use of the base form or root form of the verb “come” is in use to show the present mode of tense.

Why can is used in present tense?

Every type of modal verb has its own set of uses. The modal verb “can” has its own specific below-listed reasons.

The word “can” is mainly used along with the root form of the main verb in a present-tense sentence .

Example – Can I come in to submit my curriculum vitae for the ongoing interview?

Explanation –

The modal auxiliary verb “can” is in use to “ask permission” from the addressed person.

Formula and structure of can used in present tense –

We can divide present tense sentences with the modal auxiliary verb “can” in three different structures. Let us look at them.

Serial  Number	Type of Sentence with Modal Auxiliary Verb “can”	Structure
1	Affirmative Present Tense	Subject + can + present form of main verb + remaining words + full stop mark
2	Negative Present Tense	Subject + can + not + present form of main verb + remaining words + full stop mark
3	Interrogative Present Tense	Can + subject + present form of main verb + remaining words + question mark

Example – I can speak three Indian languages along with Indian sign language.

Explanation –

In this affirmative present-tense sentence, the speaker is showing his or her ability to speak both verbal and non-verbal language with the help of modal auxiliary verb “can”.

Examples of can used in present tense –

Examples and explanations of present tense sentences with “can” will make your knowledge easy and concrete.

Examples of “can” in the present tense are discussed below.

Serial Number	Example	Explanation
1.	No matter how hard the door has been stuck, I can open it at once.	The modal auxiliary verb “can” is in use along with the present tense form of the verb “open” to show the “ability” of the speaker in an affirmative present tense sentence.
2.	I have lost my key to the main door and I cannot enter my house.	The modal auxiliary verb “can” is in use along with the present tense form of the verb “enter” to show the “inability” of the speaker in the negative present tense sentence.
3.	I can cook a meal in half an hour, but those are not worth eating.	The modal auxiliary verb “can” is in use along with the present tense form of the verb “cook” to show “ability” of the speaker in affirmative present tense sentence.
4.	Can you come to my place to deliver the ordered dress item?	The modal auxiliary verb “can” is in use along with the present tense form of the verb “come” to ask for “permission” in the interrogative present tense sentence.
5.	Can we sit and discuss this problematic situation?	The modal auxiliary verb “can” is in use along with the present tense form of the verb “sit” to ask for “permission” in the interrogative present tense sentence.
6.	Pijush can play excellent volleyball with exceptional skills.	The modal auxiliary verb “can” is in use along with the present tense form of the verb “play” to show the “ability” of Pijush in the affirmative present tense sentence.
7.	You cannot speak impolitely with your colleagues in your workplace.	The modal auxiliary verb “can” is in use along with the present tense form of the verb “speak” to show the “inability” of the addressed person in the negative present tense sentence.
8.	Renu can sing any romantic song in a sad mood.	The modal auxiliary verb “can” is in use along with the present tense form of the verb “sing” to show the “ability” of Renu in the affirmative present tense sentence.
9.	Can Mina draw a picture of a whirling storm?	The modal auxiliary verb “can” is in use along with the present tense form of the verb “draw” to do “inquiry” in the interrogative present tense sentence.
10.	I can come to you in a minute, but I need a plane to do so.	The modal auxiliary verb “can” is in use along with the present tense form of the verb “come” to show the “ability” of the speaker in the affirmative present tense sentence.
11.	You can go to meet your cousin’s brothers.	The modal auxiliary verb “can” is in use along with the present tense form of the verb “go” to show the “ability” of the addressed person in an affirmative present tense sentence.

Conclusion –

We must note the point that the traditional negative form of the modal auxiliary verb “can” is “cannot”. We must write “cannot” as a single entity and must not write with a gap in between. Normally, we use “can’t” as the negative form of “can” in our spoken English.