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Taka Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Know
For what cases the auxiliary verb 'can' be used with the verb 'know' and for what cases it does not?
Top answer
The combination "can know" is only used in situations dealing with the learning of something in a short period of time - it is not used in any other way in English. Some examples: A: I need to know how many people are coming to the party on Friday. B: I can know by Thursday.
- The combination "can know" is only used in situations dealing with the learning of something in a short period of time - it is not used in any other way in English.
- Some examples: A: I need to know how many people are coming to the party on Friday.
- B: I can know by Thursday.
- A: This job requires that you speak some Mandarin Chinese.
- B: No problem.
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9 Answers
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The combination "can know" is only used in situations dealing with the learning of something in a short period of time - it is not used in any other way in English. Some examples:
A: I need to know how many people are coming to the party on Friday.
B: I can know by Thursday.
A: This job requires that you speak some Mandarin Chinese.
B: No problem. I pick up languages
A: I need to know how many people are coming to the party on Friday.
B: I can know by Thursday.
A: This job requires that you speak some Mandarin Chinese.
B: No problem. I pick up languages
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The examples are natural...
AnonymousThe combination "can know" is only used in situations dealing with the learning of something in a short period of time - it is not used in any other way in English..but this self-conceived 'rule' is not: Only *** can know everything.
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Good. So, the period of time doesn't matter.
MM, for what cases do you think the combination of 'can' and 'know' works? And for what cases does it not?
MM, for what cases do you think the combination of 'can' and 'know' works? And for what cases does it not?
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Offhand, it seems to me that it works just like any other verb: can know = able to know, a possibility of knowing.
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Really?
OK, so then, do these two below work? If they do, what is the difference in meaning? No difference at all?
You can learn many things from this book.
You can know many things from this book.
OK, so then, do these two below work? If they do, what is the difference in meaning? No difference at all?
You can learn many things from this book.
You can know many things from this book.
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The second is wrong only because we don't use 'know' that way: as an activity. This is fine: You can know many things and still be an irritant.
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Right. I knew the second sounded wrong.
I still cannot verbalize why it sounds wrong.
Maybe when it's about an activity, the combination of 'can' and 'know' doesn't work, but when it's about the possibility of a state, the combination works?
I still cannot verbalize why it sounds wrong.
Maybe when it's about an activity, the combination of 'can' and 'know' doesn't work, but when it's about the possibility of a state, the combination works?
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I think that's generally it...unless someone else comes up with a more precise solution.
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