"可以"三種表達:can,could,be able to!還有疑問句的6種方式

can和could是我們最常用來表達”可以“的意思,而且之前的文章有講過can和could分別是使用於現在時態和過去時態,那除了這兩點,是否還有其他區別?它們和be able to 又有什麼關係?


Can

我們用can表達事情是可能的,或者某人有能力做某件事情。表達的結構為:

can+動詞(can do/ see/ eat......)


We can see the park from our living room.

我們可以從客廳看見那個公園。

He can speak four languages.

他可以說四種語言。


有時候我們也會用be able to 表示”可以“,但是can 更常用一些,不過在現在完成時中,都是用be able to 來表示


Tom can't sleep.(現在時態)

Tom 無法入睡。

Tom couldn't sleep.(過去時態)

Tom 無法入睡。

Tom haven't been able to sleep recently.(現在完成時態)

Tom最近無法入睡。


Can的否定形式是:can not/ can't,表示”不能“。

I can't come to the party on Saturday.

週六的派對我去不了。

同樣,can't 也可以表示”覺得某事不可能“

You can't be hungry, you've just had lunch.

你不可能餓了,你才剛吃完午飯。


表示”確定某事是真的“,則使用must。

John: My house is very near the station.(我的房子非常靠近車站)

Mike: Oh, it must be very noisy.(噢~那肯定很吵)


Could

之前有講過,could是can 的過去時態,用於過去式的句子中,同樣表示”可以“。它經常跟see,hear,smell,taste,feel,remember,understand一起使用:

He spoke in a very low voice, but I could still understand what he said.

他用很小的聲音說話,但是我還是能夠明白他的意思。

When we went into the house, we could smell the buring from the kitchen.

當我們走進房間的時候,可以聞到從廚房傳來的燒焦味。


除了作can的過去式使用,could也可以表示”可能“,類似於may/ might。

The phone is ringing, it could be Jill.

=The phone is ringing, it may/ might be Jill.

電話響了,可能是Jill打來的。

The weather is nice now, but it could change later.

=The weather is nice now, but it may/ might change later.

現在天氣很不錯,但是一會可能會變天。


但是,couldn't 是不同於may not和might not的。

She couldn't have seen you, because she was too far away.

她不可能看到你,因為距離太遠了。

She might not have seen you.

她可能沒有看到你。


疑問句中的Can/ Could/ Would...?

在表達”請求“”提出要求“”許可“”邀請“的問句,通常分別使用Can,Could,Would。

請求別人做某事時,經常使用can或者could:

I wonder if you could help me.Can/ Could you wait a moment, please?Can you do me a favour?Could you tell me how to get to the station?


想要某些東西的時候,可以使用Can I have.../ Could I have...:

Can I have these stamps, please?

我可以拿這些郵票嗎?

Could I have a cup of tea, please.

我想要一杯茶



在請求許可時,可以使用 Can,Could,May:

Can I speak to Tom, please?May I come in? --Yes, please.


允許別人做某事時,最常用Can:

Yes, you can use the phone.

是的,你可以用這部電話。



主動提出想要做某事時,可以用Can I...?:

Can I help you?Can I give you something to drink?


邀請別人時,我們可以用Would you like...?:

Would you like to come to dinner tonight?

--"Yes, I'd love to."