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.
—
If someone can do something, they are allowed to do it.
You can't smoke here.
Can I go now?
—
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?
—
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.
—
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.
—
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
—
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.
—
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.
you
Pronoun
—
Used instead of the name of the person being spoken to; it is a second-person pronoun.
You are my best friend.
Can I go to the shops with you?
—
Used to talk about anyone.
You have to be 18 years old to see that film.
She has problems with her eyes, and can't see you properly.
you
Determinative
—
Used before a word that means the person or people someone is talking to.
You guys can leave now.
call
Verb
—
If you call someone, you contact them using a telephone.
Can you call me tonight at about 8:00?
We called 911 and the police came in five minutes.
I can't talk now. I'll call back later.
—
If you call to someone, you use your voice to make them notice you.
I can't see you. Call out to me so I can find you.
—
If you call someone or something mathx/math, you say they are mathx/math.
If you ever tell anyone that, I'll call you a liar.
The kids at school called him an asshole.
Nobody would even call him good-looking.
They called it the most important hockey game ever.
—
If somebody is called something, that is their name.
Their daughter's called Mai.
She's a beautiful baby. What do you call her?
—
If you call somebody somewhere, you ask or tell them to come there.
She called me to her office.
—
If you call a meeting, a stop, etc., you say you want one to happen.
I've called a meeting for tomorrow, and I'd like you to be there.
Coach Dan Bylsma called a timeout to give his five players a rest.
call
Noun
—
A call is a time when you use the telephone to contact someone.
After she made the phone call, she left the office.
I received three calls about the car I was selling.
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A visit to someone.
I paid a call to a friend.
The doctor does not do house calls.
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A cry or shout.
He heard a call from the other side of the room.
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The cry of a bird or animal.
Cuckoo birds have a unique call.
me
Pronoun
—
You use me instead of your name, to refer to yourself.
This is my book. It belongs to me.
a
Determinative
—
A is used when the following word could be any of a certain type.
Compare "A book I saw on the shelf" and "The book I gave you yesterday".
a
Noun
—
A is the first letter of the alphabet.
The letter "a" comes before "b".
—
In some schools, an A is a very high grade.
Ron got an A on his earth science test.
taxi
Noun
—
A taxi is a vehicle (usually a car) driven by a taxi driver; the taxi driver drives you somewhere if you pay them money.
taxi
Verb
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To drive an aircraft around an airport on the ground.