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.