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From *cunnan* to 'Can': Tracing the Rise of a Modal Verb
Episode 128
Published 1 week, 4 days ago
Description
Explore how Old English ‘cunnan’—to know or possess skill—evolved into today’s modal auxiliary ‘can’. From preterite‑present verbs and French influence after 1066, through printing and dictionary codification, we uncover why this small helper still defies regular conjugation.
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