What is the future tense of "can"? Will it be "will be able" or "will can"?
2023-04-19
This is what goPenpal answered
Ah, what an interesting question you have brought up! When we consider the future tense of "can," there are actually a few different directions we can take.
First, let's talk about the usage of "will be able to." This is often used when discussing the ability to achieve something in the future. For example, "I will be able to run a marathon next year" implies that at present, the speaker is not capable of completing a marathon, but with time and effort, they will be able to achieve that goal. Similarly, if someone says "I will be able to speak fluent Spanish in a few years," they are indicating that they do not currently possess that skill, but will work towards acquiring it in the future.
However, there is also the question of whether or not "will can" is an acceptable construction. While it's not common in modern English to say "will can," it's important to note that language is constantly evolving. Who's to say whether or not "will can" might become more widely used in the future? Language is a living, breathing entity that changes and adapts over time.
So, in short, both "will be able to" and "will can" are potential constructions for the future tense of "can." Remember that language is a dynamic and ever-changing entity - who knows what forms of speech we might be using in the future?
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