MDCA YAML source
code: MDCA
mfte_code: MDCA
bohmann_number: 14
name: Modal CAN
definition: The modal verb "can".
normalization: finite_verbs
parent: POMD_ALL
detection:
- source: mfte
requires:
- lemma
- pos
cql: '[lemma={words} & pos="MD"]'
words:
- can
- source: pybiber
requires:
- lemma
- pos
cql: '[lemma={words} & pos="MD"]'
words:
- can
- requires:
- word
- pos
cql: '[word="can" & pos="MD"]'
examples:
- text: _Can_ I give him a hint?
source: le_foll_2024
- text: You _can_not.
source: le_foll_2024
- text: I _ca_n't believe it!
source: le_foll_2024
sources:
- biber_1988
- mfte
- bohmann_2019
notes: >-
Biber grouped can/may/might/could as "possibility modals". MFTE splits them into
individual modals.