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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
Modal 'can' to denote ability
Hi, I think I have learned from CalifJim that the categories that are assigned to explain the types of functions that the modals such as 'can' be not so firm.
I think these are typical requests and the category can be said to be 'request'.
Can you help me?
Can you tell me where the nearest restaurant is?
Can you recommend a good restaurant?
My question now is, "Does the modal 'can' carry any sense of 'ability' in the sentences above?"
Under the category of 'ability', I think this can be written:
I can lift this table.
If I change it into a question, does 'can' in the question carry the sense of 'ability'?
Can you lift this table?
I think these are typical requests and the category can be said to be 'request'.
Can you help me?
Can you tell me where the nearest restaurant is?
Can you recommend a good restaurant?
My question now is, "Does the modal 'can' carry any sense of 'ability' in the sentences above?"
Under the category of 'ability', I think this can be written:
I can lift this table.
If I change it into a question, does 'can' in the question carry the sense of 'ability'?
Can you lift this table?
Top answer
" Yes. All of these types of requests that contain "can" carry the sense of ability. But it is a language trick.
- " Yes.
- All of these types of requests that contain "can" carry the sense of ability.
- But it is a language trick.
- I ask you to do something for me by asking if you are able to, knowing that you are able to.
- I assume that if you are able to do this for me, you will do it for me.
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1 Answers
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"Does the modal 'can' carry any sense of 'ability' in the sentences above?"
Yes. All of these types of requests that contain "can" carry the sense of ability. But it is a language trick.
I ask you to do something for me by asking if you are able to, knowing that you are able to. I assume that if you are able to do this for me, you will do it for me.
The converse case is the negativ
Yes. All of these types of requests that contain "can" carry the sense of ability. But it is a language trick.
I ask you to do something for me by asking if you are able to, knowing that you are able to. I assume that if you are able to do this for me, you will do it for me.
The converse case is the negativ
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