* 1. You can feel safe now.
2. You are able to feel safe now.
3. You are allowed to feel safe now.
(I allow you to feel safe now. You may feel safe now.)
4. You have the possibility of feeling safe now.
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What is the meaning of 'can' in Sentence 1? Does #1 mean #2, #3, or #4? Or something else?
The following is the definition of 'can' in a dictionary. What does 'can' in Sentence 1 belong to?
1. to be able to; have the ability, power, or skill to:
2. to know how to:
3. to have the power or means to:
4. to have the right or qualifications to:
5. may; have permission to:
6. to have the possibility:
To me, sentence 1 means about the same thing as 2 and 3. I guess it can mean the same as 4, but 4 is very awkward and not used.
Literally, "can" means definition #1. The other definitions have evolved over time.
In sentence 1, the word 'can' is used to indicate the ability or possibility to feel safe. It aligns with definition 1, which means to be able to or have the ability, power, or skill to do something.
Based on the provided explanations, sentence 1 (#1) can be interpreted as similar to sentence 2 (#2). It implies that you have the ability or capability to feel safe at this moment.
Sentence 3 (#3) carries a slightly different meaning. It suggests that someone else is allowing or giving you permission to feel safe. The context may imply that the person speaking has control or authority over your safety.
Sentence 4 (#4) introduces the idea of possibility. It means that feeling safe is an option or potential outcome, but it doesn't necessarily indicate whether you have the ability or permission to feel safe.
Overall, sentence 1 can align with any of the provided definitions to some extent, but it primarily corresponds to definition 1 - the ability or power to feel safe.