Para describir una
capacidad o una posibilidad se usa en general
can o may. Sin
embargo hay alternativas, pero
estas alternativas sólo se pueden utilizar en
circunstancias determinadas, dicho de otra manera,
no son tan generales
como can o may.
La tabla muestra la situación en la cual los
diferentes verbos modales pueden ser una alternativa.
 |
situación |
verbo |
ejemplo |
|
capacidad
innata |
can*
to be able** |
He cannot see red or green. She can hear music in everything.
He is not able to see us at the moment. She will be able to find us here. |
|
capacidad
adquirida |
can
to know |
She can read. He could swim at the age of 5. We can all drive a car.
Do you know how to drive a car? Does he know English? |
|
habilidad |
can
to manage**
to succeed** |
They can make gold from dust. You can repair a car in 5 minutes.
We managed to finish the project within three months.
They succeeded in selling their house for a good price. |
|
posibilidad / permiso |
can
may
it is possible |
We can go tomorrow to his place.
They may come tomorrow to our place.
It is possible that we get rain tomorrow. |
|
* Can se usa en general cuando se trata
de una capacidad general
**
To be able to, to manage y to
succeed se usa al
tratarse de afirmaciones sobre una situación determinada.
|