potential form (~える/~られる)

grammar

335 sentences

The potential form of a verb, expressing 'can / be able to do.' Godan verbs use ~える (書く → 書ける); ichidan verbs use ~られる (often shortened to ~れる in casual speech, the so-called ら抜き言葉); する becomes できる; 来る becomes 来られる. Negative forms: ~えない, ~られない, できない. The potential form takes が, not を, for its object. ~れる and ~られる ranges overlap with the passive, with context disambiguating. Lexicalizes freely — 感じられる ('can sense'), 見える ('can see'), 聞こえる ('can hear').

335 sentences

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If you can't do what you want to do, do what you can.

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You say one thing, she says another. That's just how Rika is. There's no way I can win an argument with her.

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Love and a cough cannot be hidden.

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Don't put off until tomorrow what you can put off until tomorrow.

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I'm glad your dream came true.

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She couldn't bring herself to pick up a heavy, demanding book.

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She managed to escape under cover of darkness.

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I miss you.

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I can't live like that.

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I just can't get to like biology.

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Can you imagine what life would be like without electricity?

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Can we really say 'no' to the United States?

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I get to fight monsters from all over the world, huh... My arms are itching for it.

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How can you write such a good letter in English but not be able to speak it?

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Can Steve Jobs bring the sparkle back to Disney?

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I discovered a way of jumping that lets you hit 202 meters in ski jumping!

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All people are destined to die. However, when and how one dies cannot be decided.

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I'm short, so I can't see the top of the shelf, which means I'm basically wiping it by feel.

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You're students — this kind of thing is something you can only do now.

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When you become able to move again, you really appreciate the value of good health, don't you.

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Threats keep evolving — a defense that can't adapt is meaningless.

・・・、？。

You went and took another spectacular spill… hey, you okay, Sophie? Can you stand?

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Without dreams, one cannot go on living.

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He shouted, "This is a battle I can't afford to lose!"

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It's not just people — I can also sense the faint soul-essence that buildings and walls carry.

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Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the King's horses and all the King's men couldn't put Humpty together again.

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Setting aside how good the vibe was, I can't forget the rush of feeling at one with the venue.

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You can't teach an old dog new tricks.

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You can start loving freely, but ending a love is a different matter.

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For example, a Frenchman might not easily laugh at a Russian joke.