Use of Can

source: Twominute English    2013年4月3日
Exercises for this lesson : http://twominenglish.com/video/49-Use...
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0:01 Welcome to twominuteenglish.com. Teaching you English through two-minute lessons.
0:07 In this lesson we will study the correct usage of ‘can’ in a conversation.
0:17 ‘Can’ is a modal auxiliary verb. It’s used to express certain meanings - for example possibility, ability, requests or permission.
0:26 Mark, why don’t you give me some examples?
0:29 I can leave my car in that parking space.
0:32 Okay. You’re saying that you’ll possibly leave your car there.
0:36 Can you help me with my work?
0:38 This is a good one because it’s an informal request. We’re friends so it’s appropriate.
0:44 Can I smoke in this room?
0:47 Now you’ve just used ‘can’ to ask for my permission to do something.
0:51 You can’t smoke in here. Please go outside
0:54 Okay, I understood. You used the negative which means I don’t have permission to smoke in here.
1:02 That is correct. Now let me give you an example, Mark.
1:05 I can speak Portuguese. Can you?
1:08 No, I cannot. It’s cool that you have the ability to speak Portuguese. I can only speak English.
1:16 Now let’s see some sample conversations:
1:23 Hey Jamie. Can you help me out with something?
1:26 Yes, I can. I just need to finish some work here first.
1:30 No problem. When will you be free?
1:32 In half an hour or so.
1:34 Okay. I can wait that much. I’ll be outside.
1:42 Can you play any instruments, Garry?
1:44 No, I cannot. Can you?
1:47 Yes, I can play the guitar.
1:50 That's great. I myself can't play any instruments but I can sing well.
1:55 Yes, you can. I've heard you before.
1:58 Truth is I love music. And I can memorize things fast so I know many lyrics by heart.
2:04 I can see now why you always have some music on.
2:08 Yes, I can't live without good music.
2:15 I can leave my car in that parking space.
2:23 Can you help me with my work?
2:28 Can I smoke in this room?
2:34 You can’t smoke in here.
2:39 I can speak Portuguese.
2:45 No, I cannot.
2:49 I can wait that much.
2:53 Can you help me out with something?
2:57 Can you play any instruments, Garry?
3:03 I myself can't play any instruments but I can sing well.

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