[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/can/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [C](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/c/) / can # can modal verb (can, cannot, can't, could); noun (can, cans); verb (can, cans, canned — to put in cans) «can» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. Can means is able to: I can swim. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#m1) 2. Can means is allowed to: You can go out now. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#m2) 3. Can is used to ask politely: Can I have some water? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#m3) 4. A can is a metal container for food or drink: a can of beans. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#m4) 5. Can shows what is possible: It can get cold at night. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#m5) 6. (casual) «Can't be bothered» means don't want to make the effort; «can do» means yes, I'll do it; «I can't even» (slang) means it is too much to deal with. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#m6) 7. (casual, US) «The can» is a rude word for the toilet; «in the can» means finished. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#m7) 8. (formal) The exam voice says «is able to», «is capable of», «may», «is permitted to», «has a capacity of». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#m8) ### In the lessons what an action is able to do; how many something is able to hold («each box can hold 6 eggs» = the size of one group); in class «Can you help me?», «I cannot do that»; in everyday life a can of soup, a watering can, a recycling can, a garbage can (US); in casual talk «can't be bothered», «can do»; in the exam voice «has a capacity of 30 passengers», «is permitted to», «may be assumed» ### Examples - Giving can make you have more or less: it depends on who gives to whom. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#x1) - Student: I divide : I cannot do that (because of «each») [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#x2) - A bus can carry 30 children. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#x3) - Each box can hold 6 eggs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#x4) - Birds can fly, but penguins cannot. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#x5) - Can I go to the toilet, please? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#x6) - Open a can of tomatoes for the soup. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#x7) - You can play after you finish your homework. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#x8) - can u grab 4 cans of coke on the way [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#x9) - can't be bothered walking, it's only 2 stops [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#x10) - «Can you set the table?» «Can do!» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#x11) - Each vehicle has a capacity of 30 passengers; determine the number of vehicles required for 90 pupils. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/#x12) ### Note «can hold N» or «has a capacity of N» gives the size of one group, often for multiplying or dividing. No operation clue by itself. After «can» the verb has no -s or «to»: she can swim (not «she can swims», not «can to swim»). «cannot» is one word; short form «can't». Past: could. Trap: «can carry 30» is the most, not the real number on the bus. «can't be bothered» is about feeling lazy, not about being able. ## In Jewish tradition what an action is able to do; how many something is able to hold («each box can hold 6 eggs» = the size of one group); in class «Can you help me?», «I cannot do that»; in everyday life a can of soup, a watering can, a recycling can, a garbage can (US); in casual talk «can't be bothered», «can do»; in the exam voice «has a capacity of 30 passengers», «is permitted to», «may be assumed» ### Examples - I know that he can speak well. (Torah EXO.4.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/can/#x1) - How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?' (Torah GEN.39.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/can/#x2) - And Cain said unto the LORD: 'My punishment is greater than I can bear. (Torah GEN.4.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/can/#x3) - Can the reed-grass grow without water? (Writings JOB.8.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/can/#x4) - Who can stand before His indignation? (Prophets NAM.1.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/can/#x5) - But who can withhold himself from speaking? (Writings JOB.4.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/can/#x6) ### Note «can hold N» or «has a capacity of N» gives the size of one group, often for multiplying or dividing. No operation clue by itself. After «can» the verb has no -s or «to»: she can swim (not «she can swims», not «can to swim»). «cannot» is one word; short form «can't». Past: could. Trap: «can carry 30» is the most, not the real number on the bus. «can't be bothered» is about feeling lazy, not about being able. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «can» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/can/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«can» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/can.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «can» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/can/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«can» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/can.html) on Mova free.