Please double-click on the English subtitles below to play the video.
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Welcome back to English In A Minute.
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I'm James and today we're going to talk about a word
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with lots of different uses: can.
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I can play the guitar.
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This is the first way that we can use 'can'
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– to talk about ability.
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For example:
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I can speak Spanish, but I can't fly.
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Let's look at another use of 'can'.
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Can I open the window, Elly?
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Elly: No, you can't! It's too cold!
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James: Oh, OK!
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In this example, 'can' is used to ask for or give
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permission to do something.
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Can I go for lunch, Elly?
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Elly: Yes, of course you can, James!
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James: Oh, thank you!
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Learning a language can be difficult.
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In this final example,
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'can' is used to talk about possibility.
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Elly take a jacket. It can get cold at night!
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Elly: OK! Thanks, James!
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James: This means that sometimes it is cold,
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but sometimes it isn't.
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So there we have it.
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'Can' can be used for ability, permission and possibility.
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Now you, can use 'can' too.
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See you next time!
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