can
can — verb
1. to prepare and store food or drink by sealing it inside a metal container so tha
to prepare and store food or drink by sealing it inside a metal container so that it stays fresh for later use
Each autumn, Minho and his grandmother can jars of tomatoes from their garden.
transitive: can + food item
The factory cans over ten thousand pineapples every day during harvest season.
Before refrigerators were common, families would can vegetables to eat during winter.
historical context: used before modern refrigeration
Sahil learned how to can fish from his uncle, who worked on a fishing boat.
Salma prefers to can her own fruit rather than buy canned products at the store.
contrast: home-canned vs store-bought
- can + tomatoes / fruit / vegetables / fish / meat
- home-canned
- commercially canned
Grammar Patterns
can + noun phrase
Usage Note
This sense is the only meaning of the verb 'can' that is neutral in register; it is common in both American and British English, though 'tin' is also used in British English for the same action.
Common Mistakes
2. used especially as an order to tell someone to stop talking, making noise, or be
used especially as an order to tell someone to stop talking, making noise, or behaving in an annoying way
"Can it, Tuan — I am trying to focus on my exam," his sister whispered.
imperative: 'Can it!' as a command
Asher told his younger brother to can the noise while the baby was sleeping.
transitive: can the noise / can the chatter
When the argument got too loud, Liam shouted "Can it!" from across the room.
After ten minutes of constant tapping, Lotte turned around and said, "Can it, please."
The manager asked the team to can the complaints and get back to work.
informal register: used to stop complaints or arguments
- can it!
- can the noise / chatter / complaints
- cut it out
same register and meaning; common in informal speech
- knock it off
slang; slightly more aggressive
- quit it
common in American English; similarly informal
Grammar Patterns
can it (intransitive imperative)
can + noun phrase
Usage Note
Almost always used as an imperative ('Can it!') or with a limited object such as 'the noise,' 'the chatter,' or 'the complaints.' Very rare in formal or written contexts — use 'stop' or 'be quiet' instead for those situations.
Common Mistakes
3. to end someone's employment, especially for a reason the person sees as unfair o
to end someone's employment, especially for a reason the person sees as unfair or unexpected
The company canned Ignacio after he missed three important deadlines in a row.
transitive: can + person for [reason]
Femi was canned from the restaurant for showing up late nearly every shift.
passive: be canned from [job/company]
Jason got canned when the store closed without any warning from the owner.
passive: get canned (very common informal passive)
Nila heard that the manager would can anyone caught using a phone during work hours.
When the factory closed, the owner canned two hundred workers with one week's notice.
- can + employee / worker / manager
- get canned
- be canned from
- can someone for [reason]
Grammar Patterns
can + person
be canned
get canned
Usage Note
Never used in formal or official contexts — use 'dismiss,' 'make redundant,' or 'terminate' instead. The passive form 'get canned' is extremely common in everyday spoken American English.
Common Mistakes
can — noun
1. a small metal container, usually shaped like a cylinder, that keeps food or drin
a small metal container, usually shaped like a cylinder, that keeps food or drinks fresh by being sealed so air cannot get in
Faisal opened a can of tomatoes for the pasta sauce.
a can of [food] + open a can
The shelf in the pantry held several cans of beans.
countable: cans of beans
A can of soda costs about a dollar from the vending machine.
Trang always recycles the empty cans after cooking.
The store sells cans of soup for less than two dollars each.
- a can of [food/drink]
- open a can
- empty can
- recycle a can
Grammar Patterns
a can of [food/drink]
Usage Note
Frequently appears in the pattern 'a can of [item]' to specify what is inside.
Common Mistakes
2. how much food or drink fits inside a can; used as a unit for measuring ingredien
how much food or drink fits inside a can; used as a unit for measuring ingredients in recipes or instructions
Add one can of coconut milk and simmer for ten minutes.
a can of [ingredient] as a measurement
The recipe asks for two cans of diced tomatoes.
Quinn mixed a can of tuna with mayonnaise for the filling.
Pour one can of water into the soup after opening the tin.
- a can of [ingredient]
- one can / two cans of [item]
- a can's worth
more explicit about quantity, though less common in recipes
Grammar Patterns
a can of [food/drink] measuring quantity
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense measures quantity, not the physical container itself.
Common Mistakes
3. a container made of metal or strong plastic that holds liquids like oil, paint,
a container made of metal or strong plastic that holds liquids like oil, paint, or fuel, and usually has a lid and a handle for pouring
Asher used a small can of oil to fix the squeaky hinge.
a can of [liquid] for pouring
Paloma kept the paint thinner in a metal can with a tight lid.
The mechanic grabbed a can of penetrating oil to loosen the rusted bolts.
a can of [oil] as a handled container for liquids
Marta carried a red can of gasoline to the lawnmower.
- a can of [liquid: oil, paint, gasoline]
- metal can
- watering can
- tight lid
Common Mistakes
❌ 'I bought a can of tomatoes' (talking about a sealed food can). Use sense 1, not this sense. This sense is for liquids held in containers with open tops, lids, and handles.
4. headphones; used informally especially among music producers, DJs, and audio eng
headphones; used informally especially among music producers, DJs, and audio engineers for the large ear-covering type of headphones
The DJ put on his cans and adjusted the mixer level.
slang: cans = headphones
Eric prefers using cans over earbuds for studio mixing.
Baraka passed the cans to Hyun so she could hear the playback.
The sound engineer wore his cans for the whole recording session.
- put on your cans
- use cans
- on cans
- headphones
the standard, neutral term for any ear-worn audio device
- headset
often implies a built-in microphone
Usage Note
Almost always used in the plural ('cans'). Singular use ('a can') is very rare and may confuse listeners outside the music industry.
Common Mistakes
5. prison or jail; used in very informal language, especially in American English,
prison or jail; used in very informal language, especially in American English, to refer to the experience of being imprisoned
The thief spent five years in the can for armed robbery.
slang: in the can = in prison
Marta's older brother got sent to the can for theft.
Aylin warned her cousin that the gang leader was back in the can.
The judge put the con artist in the can for ten years.
- in the can
- sent to the can
- back in the can
- jail
the standard, neutral term for a local detention facility
- prison
the standard, neutral term for a long-term correctional facility
- the slammer
similar level of informality, also slang
Grammar Patterns
in the can
Usage Note
Used almost exclusively in fixed phrases like 'in the can' or 'sent to the can.' The definite article 'the' is normally required.
Common Mistakes
6. a toilet or bathroom; used in very informal American English, often in short req
a toilet or bathroom; used in very informal American English, often in short requests or questions about where to find the restroom
Tamás asked the gas station attendant where the can was.
slang: the can = the toilet
Tuan needed to use the can before the long bus ride.
Faisal told the driver he would be right back — he was going to the can.
Quinn asked a security guard if there was a can nearby.
- the can
- go to the can
- use the can
Grammar Patterns
the can
Usage Note
Always used with the definite article ('the can'). Avoid this term in formal or polite conversation; use 'restroom', 'bathroom', or 'toilet' instead.
Common Mistakes
be in the can
idiomTo be completed and ready for use, especially for a film or recording.
The final scene is in the can, so we can celebrate.
After months of work, the album is finally in the can.
a can of worms
idiomA situation that causes many unexpected problems when you start to deal with it.
Asking about his past opened a can of worms.
The new policy turned out to be a can of worms for the company.
To take the blame for something, often when you are not responsible.
The intern had to carry the can for the team's mistake.
Why should I carry the can for his poor decisions?
To delay dealing with a problem instead of solving it now.
The government keeps kicking the can down the road on climate change.
Instead of fixing the leak, he just kicked the can down the road.
can — modal verb
1. to possess the physical or mental ability to perform an action, or to have learn
to possess the physical or mental ability to perform an action, or to have learned the way to carry it out
Maeve can swim across the lake without any help.
can + base verb for ability
Lukas can solve math problems faster than his older brother.
Kenji can play the guitar and sing at the same time.
can + verb phrase for combined skills
Adina can read stories in three different languages.
- be able to
more formal; fills tenses that 'can' lacks (e.g. future, past perfect)
- know how to
emphasises learned skill rather than general ability
- cannot
the negative form of 'can' itself
- be unable to
formal opposite of 'be able to'
Grammar Patterns
can + base verb
Usage Note
Frequently used with verbs of perception: can see, can hear, can feel, can smell, can taste.
Common Mistakes
2. expresses that someone is ready and willing to do something, often as an offer o
expresses that someone is ready and willing to do something, often as an offer or promise
Putri can help set up the chairs before the meeting starts.
can for offer of help
Sade can bring her laptop to the workshop tomorrow morning.
The children in the club can stay after school to clean the room.
can + willingness in affirmative statements
Aylin can pick up the supplies from the shop on her way home.
- be willing to
more explicit about willingness; less common in everyday speech
Grammar Patterns
can + base verb
Usage Note
When this sense is used in the negative ('cannot' / 'can't'), it usually expresses refusal rather than inability — distinguish from sense 1 (BE ABLE TO).
Common Mistakes
3. used, especially in the negative, to say that someone refuses to do something or
used, especially in the negative, to say that someone refuses to do something or will not permit something
Aylin cannot attend the wedding because she has a final exam.
cannot + base verb for unwillingness due to conflict
You cannot borrow my car — not after you crashed it last time.
cannot + base verb for refusal based on past experience
Rodrigo cannot join the trip because his passport has run out.
You can throw trash on the ground, but I will not clean it up.
affirmative 'can' + contrastive refusal to enable consequence
- be willing to
direct opposite of refusal
Grammar Patterns
cannot + base verb
can't + base verb
Usage Note
Only used in negative form for this sense. 'I cannot' here means 'I will not' rather than 'I am not able to'; context tells the difference.
Common Mistakes
4. to be permitted to do something by a rule, a law, or a person who has authority
to be permitted to do something by a rule, a law, or a person who has authority
Children under twelve can ride the bus for free after school.
can for rule-based permission
You can park your car in the visitor lot near the gate.
Students can use their calculators during the maths exam.
Vikram can borrow up to five books from the library at one time.
can for institutional permission
- be allowed to
more explicit about permission; often used when 'can' would be ambiguous
- may
more formal; preferred in official rules and polite requests
- must not
stronger prohibition; 'you must not enter' means it is forbidden
- be not allowed to
direct negative form
Grammar Patterns
can + base verb for permission
Usage Note
For asking permission in very formal contexts, 'may' is preferred over 'can' (e.g. 'May I come in?'). In everyday speech, 'can' is the default.
Common Mistakes
5. expresses a forceful or irritated command directed at another person, or says th
expresses a forceful or irritated command directed at another person, or says that someone is free to do something you disapprove of
If you are so unhappy here, you can just find another place to live.
can for dismissive permission
Nicholas told his brother he can leave if he does not like the plan.
You can stop making that noise right now.
can for annoyed command
You can keep your opinions to yourself if you cannot say anything nice.
- may as well
softer; suggests reluctant acceptance rather than irritation
Grammar Patterns
can + base verb
Usage Note
The tone is marked by context — a flat or angry delivery. In writing, exclamation marks or a preceding complaint signal this sense.
Common Mistakes
6. used when asking someone politely to give you something, to help you, or to allo
used when asking someone politely to give you something, to help you, or to allow you to do something
Excuse me, can you pass me the salt and the pepper?
Can you ... ? for polite request
Can Maeve borrow your bicycle for the weekend trip?
Can Sofie open the window for a minute?
Can Tamás help me carry this box to the car, please?
Can + person + verb + ... please?
Grammar Patterns
Can + subject + base verb + ...?
Usage Note
For very formal requests (e.g. in business letters), 'could' or 'would you mind' is more appropriate than 'can'. Adding 'please' makes the request noticeably more polite.
Common Mistakes
7. used when you are saying that something has a real chance of being true or happe
used when you are saying that something has a real chance of being true or happening in certain situations — for example, describing the usual weather in a place, a typical result of an action, or something you find hard to believe.
In spring the weather can change very quickly, so Shirin always carries an umbrella.
can + change for changeable weather or situations
Even good cooks can make mistakes when they try a recipe for the first time.
The hike can take six hours, so Ramón told us to bring extra water.
can + take + time expression for duration
A small disagreement between friends can sometimes grow into a much bigger argument.
Can the noise from the construction site really be heard from two blocks away?
question form with 'can' for expressing doubt or surprise
- can + be + adjective (can be cold/dangerous/difficult)
- can + verb of change (can change/vary/happen)
- can + take + time (can take hours/days)
- cannot
the negative form, expressing that something is impossible or very unlikely
Grammar Patterns
can + base verb
can/can't + base verb + for possibility
Can + subject + base verb? for doubt or surprise
Usage Note
Unlike 'can' for ability (modal verb sense 1), this sense is most common with impersonal or inanimate subjects (weather, traffic, a situation, the hike). It is frequently used to describe typical, recurring, or predictable situations.
Common Mistakes
8. used when you politely offer to do something for another person, or ask if they
used when you politely offer to do something for another person, or ask if they need your help with a task or service.
Can I help you carry those heavy shopping bags to your car, Mrs. Chen?
Can I + help + [person] + [action] — polite offer
Can I get you a glass of cold water while you wait for the doctor?
Can I open the window for you, Amira? It feels very warm in this room.
Can I + [verb] + for [person] — common offer pattern
Can I drive you to the airport tomorrow so you can skip the train?
Can I take your order, sir, or would you like a few more minutes?
Can I + take + [something] — service-industry offer
- Can I + help/get/open/drive/take
- Can I + verb + for + person
- Can I + verb + object? (offer)
Grammar Patterns
Can I + base verb + for [someone]? (offer structure)
Usage Note
Only the first-person question form ('Can I...?') is used for offers. 'Can you...?' with the same intonation becomes a request for help, not an offer. The form 'May I...?' is more formal and less common in everyday spoken English.
Common Mistakes
Used to describe someone or something that is extremely happy, simple, sweet, or in that state.
After winning the prize, Maya was as happy as can be.
The recipe is as simple as can be, requiring only three ingredients.
Used to express strong dislike or refusal to accept someone or something.
I can't be doing with loud music late at night.
She can't be doing with her brother leaving his dirty dishes everywhere.
no can do
idiomUsed to say that you are unable or unwilling to do something.
Sorry, no can do. I have to finish my homework first.
He asked for a discount, but the manager said no can do.
Word family
- cannedadjectiveB1
- canningnounB2
- canningadjectiveB2
- cannernounC1
- canfulnounC1
- tin cannounB1
- cannotmodal verbA1
- can'tcontractionA1
Synonym discussion
Sense: modal verb/1
CAN (modal verb sense 1) is the most common everyday word for expressing ability in English. BE ABLE TO is more formal and fills verb tenses that CAN lacks — for example, the future ('will be able to'), present perfect ('have been able to'), and infinitive ('to be able to') forms all require BE ABLE TO. COULD is the past tense of CAN for ability ('I could run fast when I was young'), but also serves as a polite or tentative version of CAN in the present ('Could you help me?'). MAY is more formal than CAN for permission and often appears in official rules and polite requests. A useful guideline: use CAN for everyday ability and informal permission; use BE ABLE TO when CAN does not fit grammatically (tenses other than present simple); use COULD for past ability or tentative requests; and use MAY in formal settings or when you want to sound especially polite.
Common collocations
Nouns
- can opener
- trash can
- garbage can
- watering can
- soda can
- beer can
- paint can
- gas can
Adverbs
- barely can
- certainly can
- hardly can
- really can
- surely can
Phrases
- as fast as you can
- as much as possible
- can do
- can't help
- can't stand
- can't afford
- in the can (completed)
- carry the can
Prepositions
- can of
- in the can
Etymology
The word 'can' in English comes from three distinct historical paths. The modal verb 'can' (ability, permission) traces back to Old English 'cunnan', meaning 'to know how' or 'to have knowledge of', from Proto-Germanic '*kunnaną' ('to know'). This is the same ancient root as Modern English 'know' and 'cognition', from Proto-Indo-European '*ǵneh₃-' ('to know'). Over centuries, the meaning shifted from 'know how' to 'be able to'. The noun 'can' (container) comes from a different Old English word, 'canne' — a cup or drinking vessel, related to Old Dutch 'kanne' and Old High German 'kanna'. This may trace back to Late Latin 'canna' ('small vessel'), from Latin 'canna' ('reed, tube'). The verb sense 'to can food' (preserve in a sealed container) is the youngest — it emerged in the mid-1800s when commercial food-canning became widespread, formed directly from the noun 'can'.