puede

can

verb PWEH-deh Rare

Usage Note

Puede is the third-person singular present of poder ('to be able to'). It is one of the most common modal constructions in Spanish: puede que (+ subjunctive) means 'it may be that', expressing possibility. Do not confuse it with puede as a standalone, which always comes from poder, never from poner.

Examples

"Puede que llegue tarde hoy."

Natural Translation

She may arrive late today.

Literal Translation

It-can-be that she-arrives late today.

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