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?
—
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.
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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
—
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
—
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.
spell
Verb
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To make up a word.
C, A and T spell cat.
—
To say or write all the letters that make up a word, in the right order.
Jack says: "Spell cat for me, Jill."
Jill says: "C-A-T."
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To spell all the words in a language correctly.
Jack says: I thought cat was spelled K-A-T.
Jill says: That is because you cannot spell very well.
spell
Noun
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A spell is an amount of time.
He stayed in his house for quite a spell.
—
What happens during an amount of time.
We've had a bad spell of weather.
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Words supposed to have a magical power, or the effect they are supposed to have.
He cast a spell on us.
The witch cast an evil spell on the princess.
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
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It can be a short way of writing:
—
# Italy or Italian
—
# Information Technology, the use of computers
for
Preposition
—
shows that something belongs to something else, or has a specific function
This cake is for you.
This is a net for catching fish.
—
For is used to show the reason for something
He was angry, for he had never been called such terrible names before.
for
Subordinator
—
For introduces a clause with a subject and a to-infinitive
It's not good for you to be too relaxed.
me
Pronoun
—
You use me instead of your name, to refer to yourself.
This is my book. It belongs to me.