/puvwaʁ/

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Translation

to be able to, can

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Word origin

From Vulgar Latin potere, a reshaping of the irregular Latin posse ('to be able'). The noun sense ('power') comes from the same verb used as a noun.

Origin
Latin
Root
potere
English cognates
power, potent, possible

Grammar

Verb typeirregular

Conjugation

Regular french-irregular conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.

Indicative

Person PresentImperfectPast historicFutureConditional
jepeuxpouvaispuspourraipourrais
tupeuxpouvaispuspourraspourrais
il/ellepeutpouvaitputpourrapourrait
nouspouvonspouvionspûmespourronspourrions
vouspouvezpouviezpûtespourrezpourriez
ils/ellespeuventpouvaientpurentpourrontpourraient

Subjunctive

Person PresentImperfect
jepuissepusse
tupuissespusses
il/ellepuissepût
nouspuissionspussions
vouspuissiezpussiez
ils/ellespuissentpussent

Non-finite

Gerund / present participle
pouvant
Past participle
pu

Examples

, .

I cannot come this evening, sorry.

?

Can you help me with these suitcases?

.

We can meet up tomorrow if you like.

.

She could not sleep because of the noise.

, .

I can't come on Saturday, I already have something else on.

Where this fits

Used in

Grammar articles

(19)

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French · Free printables

pouvoir: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the French word "pouvoir" (to be able to, can): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

This word is taught in chapter 2, lesson 3: pouvoir, en, on and 11 more words.