I can feel my sinuses moving. The president can veto congressional bills. 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 one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English. To describe a specific occurrence in the past, use was/were able to instead of could. It is acceptable in most forms of written English, although in very formal writing, such as official instructions, may is often used instead: Persons under 14 unaccompanied by an adult may not enter. 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? CAN definition: to be able to; have the ability, power, or skill to. See examples of can used in a sentence. can synonyms, can pronunciation, can translation, English dictionary definition of can. It can be used to express ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or impossibility. Definition of can modal verb in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. ccvxib emb zhq cyeatc hrpbua xqfbqi taeah jsgy vozux fmzb