One Point English Lesson: Using Can

You can always find a taxi in front of the train station

Can is a versatile word in English and has several uses. Let’s have a look at this word today.

We use can to talk about ability, and generally this ability comes after a certain amount of practice or repitition:

  • Can you cook well?
  • How many slices of pizza can you eat?
  • Do you know if Jenny can sing?

We use can to talk about learned knowledge, and generally this knowledge comes after a certain amount of study:

  • Can you speak Japanese?
  • I think Chris can answer any type of grammar question.
  • Do you know if Jenny can understand this math problem?

We use can to talk about having the opportunity to do something

  • Tourists in NYC can experience so many things.
  • In a university, you can meet many students from various countries.
  • You can find all kinds of books in that shop.

We use can to express doubt or surprise about a situation

  • The teacher spoke so fast. You can’t have understood him.
  • Jane is three hours late. Where can she be?
  • It can’t rain tomorrow! We are supposed to have a beach party.

We use can to express permission

  • You can watch TV after you finish your homework.
  • In some states, you can drive 65mph on the highway.
  • Mom said I can have a second piece of chocolate cake.

We use can to make requests

  • Can you help me with my homework?
  • I’m thirsty. Can I have a cool drink?
  • Can we take a break from studying now? I’m tired.

We use can to make a suggestion or offer

  • We can take a break now if you’d like.
  • Joe: What do you want to eat for dinner?
  • Bob: We can order pizza!
  • Joe: Or, we can go out and have a burger.

We also use can to talk about usual or typical situations

  • Working long hours can be dangerous for your health.
  • Be careful of that dog. He can be quite aggressive.
  • Bosses and teachers can be quite demanding.

Do you know another way to use can? Leave a comment here and let me know.



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One-Point English Lesson: Causative + Infinitive

The boss ordered him to do the work

I mentioned yesterday that we use the causative form of make, have, and let with a base verb. When we use the causative form of other verbs, such as cause, command, get, order, etc, and the object of those verbs is performing the action, we use the infinitive form (VerbING) of the main verb. Let’s look at some examples of these today.

In its causative form, get has the meaning of “persuade.” When you get someone to do something for your, you have persuaded them to do it.

  • The boss got Jack to attend the company golf outing on Sunday.
  • I got him to agree to a five-year contract, instead of his original proposal for a ten-year contract.
  • See if you can get Jane to bake her famous apple pie for the party tomorrow.

Other verbs such as cause, command, get, order, want, etc, do not have any different meaning or nuance when used in the causative form.

  • The hurricane caused the power to go out for almost one million people in New York.
  • The pet owner commanded her dog to attack the burglar.
  • Jack ordered his son to clean up the back yard.
  • I want him to pack the glasses and dishes carefully.

When the object of the verb in a causative sentence is the receiver of the action, we use the past participle form of the verb. Compare these sentences:

  • The boss made Jack work on the report all day. “Jack” is the object of the verb and performs the action “work.”
  • The boss ordered the report completed by the end of the day. “The report” is the object of the verb and receives the action “completed.”

Here are a few more examples:

  • I want him to pack the glasses and dishes carefully.
  • I want the glasses and dishes packed carefully.
  • The bookkeeper got all of the files finished before noon.
  • We are going to have our house painted next month.

We often use this type of grammar with get and have when ask or pay someone to do a job or perform a service for us. I have a previous lesson that deals with using the causative form of get and have :

  • I have my hair cut at the barbershop on Madison Ave.
  • Joe usually has his suits cleaned at the ABC shop.
  • I need to get my car serviced soon.

Did anyone make you do something today? Leave me a comment here and let me know.



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One-Point English Lesson: Causative + Base Verb

She made him clean up the garden

When we use the causative form of make, have, and let, and the object of those verbs is performing the action, we use the base form of the main verb. In its causative form, make has the meaning of “force” or “push”

  • The boss made Jack work on the report all day. “Jack” is the object of the verb and performs the action “work.”
  • I make my students write a journal every day. “My students” is the object of the verb and performs the action “write.”
  • Jenny made her son eat all of his vegetables. “Her son” is the object of the verb and performs the action “eat.”

Have, in its causative form, has the meaning of “ask” or “request.”

  • I had ABC Company paint my house. “ABC Company” is the object of the verb and performs the action “paint.”
  • Frank had Jack repair his computer. “Jack” is the object of the verb and performs the action “repair.”
  • Jane had her students decorate the classroom for the holidays. “Her students” is the object of the verb and performs the action “decorate.”

In its causative form, let has the meaning of “permit.”

  • Bob usually lets his children watch TV after they finish their homework. “His children” is the object of the verb and performs the action “watch.”
  • Tony let Jane buy a new car after getting a bonus. “Jane” is the object of the verb and performs the action “buy.”
  • The airline let me switch my flight without a penalty. “Me” is the object of the verb and performs the action “switch.”

Have you made, had, or let anyone do something recently? Leave a message here and let me know.



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One-Point English Lesson: Using Could for Possibility

He could be upset because of the traffic

When you want to talk about a present possibility, you can use could.

  • Joe isn’t in the office yet. He could be stuck in traffic.
  • Why is that man on the ground? He could be injured.
  • We missed the meeting. I think we could be in trouble with the boss. Here he comes.

You can also use could when you want to talk about a future or potential possibility

  • Don’t put that glass on the top shelf. It could fall off.
  • If you don’t tighten those bolts, they could come loose.
  • We should put away the patio furniture. Otherwise it could get damaged this winter.

You can also use could have + pp verb when you want to talk about a past possibility

  • You shouldn’t have put that glass on the top shelf. It could have fallen off.
  • If you hadn’t tightened those bolts, they could have come loose.
  • I’m glad we put away the patio furniture. If not, it could have gotten damaged last winter.