can
当你拥有某种能力或者可以做某事时，用这个词来表达。
Can is the essential tool for expressing what you are capable of doing right now.
30秒词汇
- Used to express ability or capability.
- Used to ask for or grant permission.
- Followed by the base form of a verb.
Summary
Can is the essential tool for expressing what you are capable of doing right now.
- Used to express ability or capability.
- Used to ask for or grant permission.
- Followed by the base form of a verb.
Remember the base verb rule
Never add 'to' or 's' after 'can'. It is always 'can swim', not 'can to swim' or 'can swims'.
Avoid double modals
You cannot use two modal verbs together. Do not say 'I will can go', instead use 'I will be able to go'.
Politeness variations
While 'Can I...' is common, native speakers often use 'Could I...' or 'May I...' to sound more polite in formal settings.
例句
4 / 4I can swim across the lake.
Can I use your phone, please?
You can leave whenever you want.
Heavy rain can cause flooding.
词族
记忆技巧
Think of 'CAN' as 'Capability And Nature'. If it is in your nature or capability, you CAN do it!
Overview
'Can' is one of the most frequently used modal verbs in the English language. It is primarily used to describe what a person or thing is capable of doing. Because it is a modal verb, it does not change form (no 's' in the third person) and is followed by the base form of the main verb without 'to'. Usage Patterns: The structure is simple: [Subject] + [can] + [base verb]. For negatives, we use 'cannot' or 'can't'. For questions, we invert the subject and 'can' (e.g., 'Can you swim?'). Common Contexts: We use 'can' for physical ability (I can run fast), mental ability (I can speak French), or permission (Can I go now?). It is also used to express general possibilities or theoretical occurrences. Similar Words Comparison: 'Can' is often compared to 'could' and 'be able to'. 'Could' is the past tense of 'can' or a more polite/tentative version of the present tense. 'Be able to' is a phrase that can be used in all tenses, whereas 'can' is restricted to the present. Using 'be able to' is often necessary when you need to use a tense other than the present, such as the future ('I will be able to help you') or the perfect ('I have been able to finish it'). Understanding these nuances helps learners sound more natural and accurate in various social and professional settings.
使用说明
Can is used in both formal and informal registers. It is the standard way to express capability. In very formal writing, 'be able to' is sometimes preferred to avoid the repetitive use of modal verbs.
常见错误
The most common mistake is adding 'to' after 'can'. Another error is trying to use 'can' in the future tense (e.g., 'I will can'). Always use 'will be able to' for the future.
记忆技巧
Think of 'CAN' as 'Capability And Nature'. If it is in your nature or capability, you CAN do it!
词源
The word comes from the Old English 'cunnan', meaning 'to know' or 'to know how to'. It is related to the word 'cunning' and 'can' (as in a container).
文化背景
The word 'can' reflects the English focus on capability and empowerment. It is a cornerstone of the 'can-do' attitude often associated with modern professional culture.
例句
I can swim across the lake.
everydayCan I use your phone, please?
formalYou can leave whenever you want.
informalHeavy rain can cause flooding.
academic词族
常见搭配
常用短语
can't help it
as best as I can
can you believe it
容易混淆的词
Could is the past tense of can or a more polite present tense. Use 'can' for current ability and 'could' for past ability or polite requests.
May is more formal than 'can'. Use 'may' when asking for permission in very professional or academic environments.
语法模式
Remember the base verb rule
Never add 'to' or 's' after 'can'. It is always 'can swim', not 'can to swim' or 'can swims'.
Avoid double modals
You cannot use two modal verbs together. Do not say 'I will can go', instead use 'I will be able to go'.
Politeness variations
While 'Can I...' is common, native speakers often use 'Could I...' or 'May I...' to sound more polite in formal settings.
自我测试
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence.
She ___ play the piano very well.
Modal verbs do not change for the third person singular.
Select the sentence that uses 'can' correctly.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Modal verbs are followed by the base form of the verb without 'to'.
Rearrange the words to form a question.
you / can / speak / English / ?
In questions, the modal verb 'can' moves to the front of the sentence.
得分： /3
常见问题
4 个问题No, 'can' is a modal verb and never changes form. You say 'he can' instead of 'he cans'.
You simply add 'not' after 'can' to make it 'cannot' or the common contraction 'can't'. Both are widely accepted in speech and writing.
No, 'can' is for the present. Use 'could' for the past tense or 'was able to' to describe a specific achievement.
It is neutral and used in almost every context. However, 'may' is often preferred in very formal requests or official permissions.
在语境中学习
这个词在其他语言中
相关词汇
更多general词汇
about
A1‘about’可以表示‘关于’某个话题，也可以表示‘大约’或‘左右’。
above
A2表示比其他事物更高的位置，就在上面。
accident
A2发生的不幸事件，可能造成损害或伤害。
action
A2为了达到目的而采取的行动过程。
after
A2‘after’的意思是‘在……之后’，表示在时间上或空间上晚于某事。
afterward
A2At a later or subsequent time.
again
A2‘again’的意思是‘再一次’，表示某事再次发生或被重复。
aged
B1用来描述人或事物处于特定的年龄。
alive
A2指有生命的状态，不是死亡的。
all
A2‘all’指的是某事物的全部，或者每一个。
