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. 票可在麦德斯通剧院售票处买到。

A central reservation number can direct you to accommodations that best suit your needs. 预订总机可以帮你找到最适合你需求的住处。

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

Don't worry yourself about me, I can take care of myself. 别为我担心，我会照顾好自己的。

I can't give you details because I don't actually have any details. 我无法告诉你详情，因为我确实不了解具体情况。

The United States will do whatever it can to help Greece. 美国将尽一切所能帮助希腊。

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. 无法

We cannot buy food and clothes and pay for rent and utilities on $20 a week. 我们无法靠每星期$20来购买食品、衣物，付房租和水电费。

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. …可能要持续5年或者更长时间的长期治疗。

Exercising alone can be boring. 独自一个人锻炼可能会很无聊。

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; 不会

From her knowledge of Douglas's habits, she feels sure that that person can't have been Douglas. 根据她对道格拉斯的习惯的了解，她肯定那人不会是道格拉斯。

Things can't be that bad. 情况不会那么糟。

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?

你走后，我真的可以穿你的牛仔裤吗？

We can't answer any questions, I'm afraid. 我们恐怕不能再回答任何问题了。

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. 不应该[强调]

It is an intolerable situation and it can't be allowed to go on. 这种情形令人无法容忍，不应该被允许继续下去。

8. MODAL You use can, usually in questions, in order to make suggestions or to offer to do something. 可以; 能 (用于表示建议或给予)

What can I do around here?

在这里我能做什么？

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

这位老妇人力图挤出列车时，我问道，“哦，我能帮忙吗？”

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 (用于表示请求)[礼貌]

Can I have a look at that?

我能看看那个东西吗？

Why can't you leave me alone?

你为什么不能别管我的事情？

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 (打断谈话或插嘴时)[正式，口语]

Can I interrupt you just for a minute?

我可不可以打断你一会儿？

But if I can interrupt, Joe, I don't think anybody here is personally blaming you. 恕我打断你，乔，我认为这里并没有人在怪你。

11. MODAL You use can with verbs such as "imagine," "think," and "believe" in order to emphasize how you feel about a particular situation. 能够 (与imagine， think， believe连用，表示强调)[非正式，口语]

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

You can't think how glad I was to see them all go. 你想不到看到他们都走掉我有多开心。

12. MODAL You use can in questions with "how" to indicate that you feel strongly about something. 与(how)连用，表示强烈的感受[口语]

How can millions of dollars go astray?

数百万美元怎么会丢失了呢？

How can you say such a thing?

你怎么能说这样的话？

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; 罐头

Several young men were kicking a tin can along the middle of the road. 几个小伙子正在马路中间踢着一个锡罐。

...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. 她从冰箱里取出一罐汽水。

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…装罐[usu passive]

...fruits and vegetables that will be canned, skinned, diced, or otherwise processed. …将要经过装罐、去皮、切块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[美国英语] [非正式]

The extremists prevailed, and the security chief was canned. 极端分子占了上风，那名安全主管被解雇。

5. N-SING The can is the toilet. 厕所[美国英语] [非正式]