Are you struggling to understand some English expressions that include the word ‘can’t’? Don’t worry, in this article, we’ll explore the most common expressions with ‘can’t’ and their meanings. These expressions are commonly used in everyday conversations, so it’s essential to learn them to improve your English skills.
Can’t Afford
This expression is used when you don’t have enough money for something or can’t allow yourself to do something. For example:
- I can’t afford to buy a new car right now.
- We can’t afford the luxury of another vacation this year.
Can’t Bear
When you strongly dislike something because it makes you unhappy, you can use this expression. For instance:
- I can’t bear to see animals being mistreated.
- She can’t bear the thought of being alone.
Can’t Be Bothered
When you have no interest in something, you can say “can’t be bothered.” Here are some examples:
- I can’t be bothered to cook tonight; let’s order takeout.
- He can’t be bothered to reply to his emails promptly.
Can’t For The Life Of
This expression means that you cannot do something at all. Some examples are:
- I can’t for the life of me remember where I put my keys.
- She can’t for the life of her understand why he left her.
Can’t Get Enough Of
You use this expression when you want more and more of something. For example:
- I can’t get enough of these cookies; they’re delicious!
- He can’t get enough of playing video games.
Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind
This means that you can’t stop thinking about someone. Examples include:
- I can’t get him out of my mind; he’s always on my thoughts.
- She can’t get her ex-boyfriend out of her mind.
Can’t Help
This expression is used when you are unable to stop doing something. For example:
- I can’t help smiling every time I see a baby.
- She can’t help but feel nervous during presentations.
Can’t Stand
When you strongly dislike something, you can use this expression. Some examples are:
- I can’t stand the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard.
- He can’t stand his boss’s attitude.
Can’t Take
When you can no longer tolerate something, you can use “can’t take.” Here are some examples:
- I can’t take the heat in this room anymore.
- She can’t take her friend’s constant negativity.
Can’t Take Your Eyes Off
This expression means that you are very attracted to someone or something. For instance:
- He can’t take his eyes off his girlfriend in that dress.
- She can’t take her eyes off the beautiful sunset.
Can’t Thank You Enough
We use this expression to express deep gratitude, generally for assistance or a service rendered. Some examples include:
- I can’t thank you enough for helping me move into my new apartment.
- She can’t thank her parents enough for supporting her education.
Can’t Think Straight
This expression means to be confused or unable to think clearly. Examples include:
- After a long night of partying, I can’t think straight.
- She can’t think straight when she’s stressed.
Can’t Hear Myself Think
When you are unable to concentrate, usually because of noise, you can say “can’t hear myself think.” For example:
- The construction noise is so loud I can’t hear myself think.
- He can’t hear himself think with his roommate playing music loudly.
Can’t Wait
This expression means to be very eager or excited about doing something. Examples include:
- I can’t wait to go on vacation next month.
- She can’t wait to see her best friend after years apart.
Conclusion
Learning expressions with ‘can’t’ is essential to improve your English vocabulary and communication skills. We’ve covered the most common ones, including “can’t afford,” “can’t bear,” “can’t be bothered,” and many others. Incorporate them into your everyday conversations and become a fluent English speaker! Remember that learning English expressions is not just about memorizing the words but also understanding their meanings and contexts. Use these expressions in your daily conversations to make them more natural and fluent.
To continue improving your English skills, you can also watch English movies, read English books, and practice speaking with native speakers. Joining language exchange programs or hiring a private tutor can also help you improve your skills faster.
In conclusion, mastering expressions with ‘can’t’ is essential for anyone learning English as a second language. By understanding their meanings and using them in everyday conversations, you can communicate more effectively and improve your fluency. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be speaking like a native speaker!