I can't bear cheese.

[sadra1400]

Can we say these sentences below are simple present?
We use a helping verb here.

• I can't bear cheese.
• I can play the piano.

 

[5jj]

Not really. I'd call them modal forms.

 

[SoothingDave]

I wouldn't even know how one goes about milking a bear.

 

[Skrej]

Never mind milking the bear - I'm confused how one can even birth a cheese.


For learners who may not be following the jokes - Dave and I are playing on the various meaning of the word 'bear'. This is all result of the slightly unnatural phrasing of 'I can't bear cheese'. Saying "I can't stand cheese" would have removed at least some of the opportunity for word play.

Note we could still jest about cheese standing as opposed to sitting.....

 

[jutfrank]

I'm happy to consider these present simple. The fact that they use an auxiliary (as with I do play the piano and I don't play the piano) makes no difference.


(On the theme of bear/cheese jokes: What cheese do you use to coax a bear out of a cave?)

 

[Skrej]

(On the theme of bear/cheese jokes: What cheese do you use to coax a bear out of a cave?)

Camembert!

 

[Rover_KE]

I wouldn't even know how one goes about milking a bear.

Very Caerphilly.

Is this thread now a feta compli?

 

[Tdol]

There are other modal forms that show tense:

I couldn't stand cheese as a child, but I love it now.