Englishfor English speakers
can
Verb
—
If someone can do something, they are able to do it.
Most birds can fly.
Can you speak English?
I can't see it. It's too small.
"Can you come?" "Yes, I think I can."
This is a service that anyone can easily afford.
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If someone can do something, they are allowed to do it.
You can't smoke here.
Can I go now?
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You use can to ask somebody to do something (if you know the person well).
Can you open the door for me, please?
Can I have the salt, please?
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If something can happen, it is possible.
It's so small that it can't be seen.
There can't be any difference.
Can the plan work?
That can't be right.
Imagine how bad it can get.
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If someone tells you something can't happen, they think it's not a good idea.
You just can't keep smoking.
You can't think things are going to get better.
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If something can happen, it happens sometimes.
I can get really busy here on weekends.
Her classes can be really interesting or really boring.
can
Verb
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If someone cans something, they put in a can or jar to keep for a long time.
We canned the peas for the winter.
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If someone cans something, they stop working on it.
The idea was canned.
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If someone gets canned they have lost their job.
—
If you tell someone to can it, you want them to stop talking.
Can it, would you? I'm trying to watch TV.
can
Noun
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A can is a metal container, usually for holding food or drink.
I drink cola from a can.
hoops come in a can.
I
Pronoun
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The person who is speaking or writing
I am writing this, and you are reading it.
I
Noun
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The ninth letter or the alphabet; previous H, next J. I is a vowel.
I
Symbol
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A symbol meaning first, as in "George I" (which is said as "George the first").
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The symbol for iodine on the periodic table of elements.
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The symbol for electrical current.
I
Number
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This is the roman numeral for one (1). It may be written as I or i.
i
Noun
—
The ninth letter or the alphabet; previous H, next J. I is a vowel.
try
Verb
—
If you try to do something, you make effort to do it.
As much as I tried, I couldn't understand it.
I'm just trying to get things cleaned up before the kids get home.
It's OK. We'll try again tomorrow.
I really want to try and make a difference.
—
If you try something, you taste, do, or use it to see if it's good.
Try using the new shoes for a week and let me know if there any problems.
He's never afraid to try something new.
Did you try the fish in the fridge?
—
If you try someone for a crime, you put them on trial.
He was tried for robbery.
try
Noun
—
A try is when you attempt to do something.
I gave juggling a try, but I just could not do it.
—
A try is when you taste, do, or use it to see if it's good.
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A try is when you put the ball behind the other team's net in rugby.
it
Pronoun
—
used to refer to an object without identifying or describing it; the object might have been described earlier in the text.
The house was very big. It had many rooms.
—
used to describe the weather
It is very hot today.
I'm staying in because it is raining
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used to describe a situation in general
I don't like it when people tell me to do something.
It is hard to find a job.
it
Abbreviation
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It can be a short way of writing:
—
# Italy or Italian
—
# Information Technology, the use of computers
on
Preposition
—
positioned at the upper surface of, touching from above
The apple is on the table.
—
at the date of
Tim was born on the 4th of July.
—
along, forwards (continuing an action)
drive on, rock on
—
about, dealing with the subject of
I have a book on history.
There was a World Summit on the Information Society a few weeks ago.
—
touching; hanging from
I have no money on me at the moment.
I would like to eat the fruit on the trees.
—
because of, due to
He was arrested on suspicion of bribery.
I contacted Joanne on a hunch that she would know about it.
The stock price increased on news of a new product.
on
Adjective
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If something is on, it is active, functioning or operating.
The television is on.
The lights are on, so it is very bright.