When it comes to the usage of can, some might say, it’s simple; it is a modal verb meaning “can, may, or be able to”? So easy. Actually, it’s not that simple.
can [kæn] aaux.can;be able to;able to;may
Besides the meanings mentioned above, can also…
vt.to seal something in a jar for preservation
n.can;container;food can
Let’s look at this sentence.
Driving in the mountains can be very dangerous. You can’t be too careful. How should we translate it? Driving in the mountains will be very dangerous; you can’t be too careful. Doesn’t the translation sound a bit awkward?
So how should we translate this sentence? Let Mr. Su explain the special usage of can!
can’t…too…is a very useful expression in English, meaning “no matter how… it’s not too much, the more… the more…”.
This sentence should be translated as “Driving in the mountains can be very dangerous; you can’t be too careful.”
Wow! I didn’t know there was such a usage; let me quickly jot it down in my grammar book. (What a good student!)
For example:
1. You can’t praise this book too much.
This book deserves high praise.
2. A woman can’t have too many clothes.
A woman’s clothes are never too many.
A woman can’t have too many clothes.
A woman’s clothes are never too many.
Oh my, I thought this sentence meant a woman can’t have too many clothes, I guess women would really like this English sentence. Right?
Grammar Station
can never/ can’t with too, too much, enough, over- collocations
indicates “no matter how… it’s not too much”.
Note: Sometimes can never, impossible and too can also be used to express similar meanings. For example:
It is impossible to get there too soon.
It’s better to get there as early as possible.
can never/ can’t with too, too much, enough, over- collocations indicate “no matter how… it’s not too much”.
1). While you are doing your homework, you can’t be careful enough.
2). He is such a great man that we can’t praise him too much.
3). William Hartley was handsome, determined, and hardworking; in a word, I couldn’t speak too highly of him.
4). The development of society has made it necessary for us to have a good knowledge of English, so we can’t overemphasize the importance of learning English.
5). Since it is a good thing, we can’t do it too soon.
Conclusion: In the 8th grade Unit 9, we learned about the usage of the modal verb can; today I’ll supplement this much, and I hope everyone can learn by analogy. Don’t just study the basic grammar points in the textbook!
