Poder can express ability, possibility or permission in context.
The idea
Say puedo and puede, but podemos retains o in the present tense.
Examples
- Puedo caminar hasta el parque.I can walk to the park.
- Ana puede venir mañana.Ana can come tomorrow.
- Podemos pagar con tarjeta.We can pay by card.
- Los niños pueden leer este libro.The children can read this book.
- ¿Puedes abrir la ventana?Can you open the window?
- No puedo encontrar las llaves.I can’t find the keys.
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Watch out
Poder followed by an infinitive describes what someone can do.
Try it yourself
Choose the present form for yo: Yo ___ caminar al parque. (puedo / podo)
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puedo
Yo uses puedo, with o changing to ue in the stem.
Choose the present form for nosotros: Nosotros ___ pagar con tarjeta. (podemos / puedemos)
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podemos
Nosotros uses podemos without the stem change.
Choose the verb form after puede: Ana puede ___ mañana. (venir / viene)
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venir
After puede, venir remains in the infinitive.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Spanish sentences where available. We keep your score.
Choose the present form for yo: Yo ___ caminar al parque. (puedo / podo)
Choose the present form for nosotros: Nosotros ___ pagar con tarjeta. (podemos / puedemos)
Choose the verb form after puede: Ana puede ___ mañana. (venir / viene)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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