Wordcyclopedia | English | We can only hope.

we Pronoun

— The person speaking and other people with him or her. "Are you and Mia still going?" "No, were finished." We went to Paris together. We ought to help. Let's go. We need to talk to Mark. We won our football game. — People in general. We need to think about other people more.

we Determiner

— The person speaking and other people with him or her. We Canadians don't act that way.

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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.

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only Adverb

— no more than; no other than; just There are only three schools in this town. You can get this only in Canada. I'm only able to go on Monday. He comes only once a year. She only eats vegetables. This is only what we got. He's not only nice, but also good looking. We will stop only to rest. Things will only get worse. Only call me if you have to.

only Adjective

— Just one or just a few; this and no other; no more than this. She is the only woman doctor in this city. These are the only coins I have. — An only child, son, girl, etc. has no brothers or sisters.

only Preposition

— but; except that They probably could do it, only you never let them try.

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hope Verb

— When someone hopes that something will happen, it means that they want it to happen and they think it may happen. I hope he'll come, because I have something to give him.

hope Noun

— A hope is the idea in someone's mind when they're hoping for something. All of my hopes came true!

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