Englishfor English speakers
can
Verb
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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.
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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
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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?
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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
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Used before a word that means the person or people someone is talking to.
You guys can leave now.
do
Verb
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Do is an auxiliary verb. It is used in questions, negative statements, short answers, and for emphasis when there is no other auxiliary.
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Questions
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Where do you live?
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When did you start learning English?
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"Does John live here?"
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Short answer
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"Yes, he does."
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"No, I don't."
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Negative statements
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They don't live here. [don't = do not]
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We do not want to fight.
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Jared did not tell me he had such a pretty sister.
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Emphasis (do not use this too much)
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You think I don't have a brother, but I do!
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She does enjoy swimming in the pool.
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We sometimes use do in place of a different verb, such as when we do not know what an activity is, or we do not want to say it again:
What is he doing?
Mary eats more than John does.
do
Verb
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When you do something, you perform, complete or work on a task.
Mary is doing her homework.
We all did the cleaning together.
I've got a lot to do.
"What do you do?" - "I'm a baker."
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To succeed or progress
"How did John do in the tennis match?" - "He lost."
"How is your leg doing?" - "Oh, it feels much better, thank you."
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To write or draw something, usually in a short time
He did a picture of a tree.
He did an essay on Shakespeare.
do
Noun
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A do refers to a hairstyle.
She came to work with a new do.
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Correct actions. (almost always in plural and generally with "don'ts")
Willy will tell you all the dos and don'ts.
me
Pronoun
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You use me instead of your name, to refer to yourself.
This is my book. It belongs to me.
a
Determinative
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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
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A is the first letter of the alphabet.
The letter "a" comes before "b".
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In some schools, an A is a very high grade.
Ron got an A on his earth science test.
favour
Noun
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Some help.
Can you please do me a favour by washing the dishes?
May I ask you a favour?
favour
Verb
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When you favour someone, you like them and prefer them over other people.