Explanation of the Meaning of Can in English, Know Examples of Its Use in Sentences

Kapanlagi.com - We have learned English since elementary school. No wonder, if there are some English vocabulary that we feel quite familiar with. Can is one of them. We often find the word can in various English sentences, such as in books, song lyrics, movie dialogues, and daily conversations. So, what is the actual meaning of can?

Although it is already quite popular and familiar, the fact is that many people still do not understand the meaning of can. However, if we carefully observe, the word can that we often encounter in daily life seems to indicate that can is one of the important words in English. Therefore, it is important to know and understand the meaning of can.

Well, to find out the meaning of can and how to use it in sentences, let's directly read the following explanation that has been summarized from various sources.

1. Explanation of the Meaning of Can According to the Dictionary

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As mentioned earlier, can is a fairly common and important word in English. According to the online dictionary.cambridge.com, can is a modal verb in English.

Furthermore, dictionary.cambridge.com also explains that can means a modal verb that expresses ability. So, generally speaking, in Indonesian, the meaning of can is more or less equivalent to the words 'able to' or 'can'.

However, the meaning of can in English apparently has several meanings. The meaning of the word can depends heavily on the context of the sentence. Therefore, to understand the meaning of can in an English sentence, we also need to understand the meaning of the sentence as a whole. Here are some meanings of can according to context:

1. Expressing ability

2. Expressing permission

3. Expressing request

4. Expressing an offer of help subtly or politely

5. Expressing a possibility

2. Examples of Using Can according to Context

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As previously explained, the word can has several meanings and interpretations based on context. Therefore, understanding the meaning of can is not enough just by reading a dictionary. To better understand it, you also need to know examples of using the word can that are appropriate to the context.

Here are some examples of using the word can in English sentences in various contexts.

1. Stating ability

- The doctors are doing all that they can, but she's still not breathing properly.

(The doctors are doing everything they can, but she still isn't breathing properly.)

- She can speak four languages.

(She can speak four languages.)

- Can you drive?

(Can you drive?)

2. Stating permission

- You can have a piece of cake after you've eaten your vegetables!

(If you keep misbehaving with your sister, Sophie, you can just go to sleep!)

- She can come whenever she likes, as far as I'm concerned.

(She can come anytime she likes, as far as I know.)

3. Stating a request or demand

- Can you make a little less noise, please? I'm trying to work.

(Can you reduce the noise?)

- If you see Brett, can you tell him I'm in town next weekend?

(If you see Brett, can you tell him I'll be in town next weekend?)

4. Stating a subtle or polite offer of help

- Can I help you with those bags?

(Can I help you with those bags?)

- What a lot of bags! Can I carry something for you?

(What a lot of bags! Can I carry something for you?)

- You look lost, can I help you?

(You look lost, can I help you?)

5. Stating a possibility

- You can get very nasty skin diseases from bathing in dirty water.

(You can get very nasty skin diseases from bathing in dirty water.)

- Noise can be quite a problem when you're living in a flat.

(Noise can be a problem when you live in an apartment.)

I'm trying to work.)

- If you see Brett, can you tell him I'm in town next weekend? (If you see Brett, can you tell him I'm in town next weekend?)

4. Expressing an offer of help politely or indirectly

- Can I help you with those bags? (Can I help you with those bags?)

- What a lot of bags! Can I carry something for you? (What a lot of bags! Can I carry something for you?)

- You look lost, can I help you? (You look lost, can I help you?)

5. Expressing a possibility

- You can get very nasty skin diseases from bathing in dirty water. (You can get very nasty skin diseases from bathing in dirty water.)

- Noise can be quite a problem when you're living in a flat. (Noise can be quite a problem when you're living in a flat.)

3. Other Meanings of Can

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In addition to being a modal verb, can in English also has another meaning as a noun. According to the online dictionary.cambridge.com, as a noun, can is defined as 'a closed metal container, especially cylinder-shaped, in which some types of drink and food are sold'.

Based on this explanation, if simplified, another meaning of can in English is a can of food or drink container. Here are some examples of English sentences with the word can meaning a can:

- You'll need a can of tuna for this recipe.

That is an explanation of the meaning of can in English as a modal verb and a noun. Hopefully, it is useful and can increase knowledge.

(kpl/gen/psp)