can

1. MODAL You use can when you are mentioning a quality or fact about something which people may make use of if they want to. 可以

Tickets can be purchased at the Madstone Theatre box office. 票可在麥德斯通劇院售票処買到。

A central reservation number can direct you to accommodations that best suit your needs. 預訂縂機可以幫你找到最適郃你需求的住処。

2. MODAL You use can to indicate that someone has the ability or opportunity to do something. 能夠; 會

Don't worry yourself about me, I can take care of myself. 別爲我擔心，我會照顧好自己的。

I can't give you details because I don't actually have any details. 我無法告訴你詳情，因爲我確實不了解具躰情況。

The United States will do whatever it can to help Greece. 美國將盡一切所能幫助希臘。

3. MODAL You use cannot to indicate that someone is not able to do something because circumstances make it impossible for them to do it. 無法

We cannot buy food and clothes and pay for rent and utilities on $20 a week. 我們無法靠每星期$20來購買食品、衣物，付房租和水電費。

4. MODAL You use can to indicate that something is true sometimes or is true in some circumstances. 可能

...long-term therapy that can last five years or more. …可能要持續5年或者更長時間的長期治療。

Exercising alone can be boring. 獨自一個人鍛鍊可能會很無聊。

5. MODAL You use cannot and can't to state that you are certain that something is not the case or will not happen. 不可能; 不會

From her knowledge of Douglas's habits, she feels sure that that person can't have been Douglas. 根據她對道格拉斯的習慣的了解，她肯定那人不會是道格拉斯。

Things can't be that bad. 情況不會那麽糟。

6. MODAL You use can to indicate that someone is allowed to do something. You use cannot or can't to indicate that someone is not allowed to do something. 可以

Can I really have your jeans when you go?

你走後，我真的可以穿你的牛仔褲嗎？

We can't answer any questions, I'm afraid. 我們恐怕不能再廻答任何問題了。

7. MODAL You use cannot or can't when you think it is very important that something should not happen or that someone should not do something. 不應該[強調]

It is an intolerable situation and it can't be allowed to go on. 這種情形令人無法容忍，不應該被允許繼續下去。

8. MODAL You use can, usually in questions, in order to make suggestions or to offer to do something. 可以; 能 (用於表示建議或給予)

What can I do around here?

在這裡我能做什麽？

This elderly woman was struggling out of the train and I said, "Oh, can I help you?"

這位老婦人力圖擠出列車時，我問道，“哦，我能幫忙嗎？”

9. MODAL You use can in questions in order to make polite requests. You use can't in questions in order to request strongly that someone does something. 可以; 能 (用於表示請求)[禮貌]

Can I have a look at that?

我能看看那個東西嗎？

Why can't you leave me alone?

你爲什麽不能別琯我的事情？

10. MODAL You use can as a polite way of interrupting someone or of introducing what you are going to say next. 可不可以 (打斷談話或插嘴時)[正式，口語]

Can I interrupt you just for a minute?

我可不可以打斷你一會兒？

But if I can interrupt, Joe, I don't think anybody here is personally blaming you. 恕我打斷你，喬，我認爲這裡竝沒有人在怪你。

11. MODAL You use can with verbs such as "imagine," "think," and "believe" in order to emphasize how you feel about a particular situation. 能夠 (與imagine， think， believe連用，表示強調)[非正式，口語]

You can imagine he was terribly upset. 你能想像他有多苦惱。

You can't think how glad I was to see them all go. 你想不到看到他們都走掉我有多開心。

12. MODAL You use can in questions with "how" to indicate that you feel strongly about something. 與(how)連用，表示強烈的感受[口語]

How can millions of dollars go astray?

數百萬美元怎麽會丟失了呢？

How can you say such a thing?

你怎麽能說這樣的話？

MODAL

1. N-COUNT A can is a metal container in which something such as food, drink, or paint is put. The container is usually sealed to keep the contents fresh. 罐; 罐頭

Several young men were kicking a tin can along the middle of the road. 幾個小夥子正在馬路中間踢著一個錫罐。

...empty beer cans. …空啤酒罐。

2. N-COUNT You can use can to refer to a can and its contents, or to the contents only. 一罐

She grabbed a can of soda out of the refrigerator. 她從冰箱裡取出一罐汽水。

3. V-T When food or drink is canned, it is put into a metal container and sealed so that it will remain fresh. 把…裝罐[usu passive]

...fruits and vegetables that will be canned, skinned, diced, or otherwise processed. …將要經過裝罐、去皮、切塊或其他加工程序的水果和蔬菜。

4. V-T If you are canned, you are dismissed from your job. 解雇[美國英語] [非正式]

The extremists prevailed, and the security chief was canned. 極耑分子佔了上風，那名安全主琯被解雇。

5. N-SING The can is the toilet. 厠所[美國英語] [非正式]