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.
—
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
—
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.
say
Verb
—
When you say something, you share it in words.
He says he is hungry.
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
—
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
—
It can be a short way of writing:
—
# Italy or Italian
—
# Information Technology, the use of computers
in
Preposition
—
Used to show that something is inside something else.
The cat is in the box.
—
Used to show that someone is at home, or is available.
Is John in?
The Doctor is now in.
—
Used to show movement towards the inside.
The rain came in through the window.
other
Adjective
—
The other thing(s), when there are only two choices, is the one(s) we were not talking about.
No, don't put it on this table. Put it on the other table.
The people inside are OK, but the other people are getting wet.
Thanks for the books. I'll get the others tomorrow.
He sat on the other side of the table.
—
more
There are many other kinds of problems.
Do you have any other questions?
—
different
There were some other cars at their house the other day.
Other than the cleanup, I think we're finished.
words
—
noun
the words that are spoken
I listened to his words very closely
—
noun
(= lyric, language)
the text of a popular song or musical-comedy number
his compositions always started with the lyrics
he wrote both words and music
the song uses colloquial language
—
noun
language that is spoken or written
he has a gift for words
she put her thoughts into words
—
noun
(= speech)
words making up the dialogue of a play
the actor forgot his speech
—
noun
(= quarrel)
an angry dispute
they had a quarrel
they had words