The rule, as people use it

"I can't stand it" means "I really dislike it, I can hardly put up with it." It's stronger than "I don't like it" and a little less intense than "I hate it". It has nothing to do with standing up. Think of it as "I can't tolerate this".

After "can't stand" you put a noun, a person, or a verb with -ing: I can't stand cold coffee. I can't stand my neighbor's dog. I can't stand sitting in traffic. You can also add a person before the -ing verb: "I can't stand people talking during a movie."

For the past, say "couldn't stand": "I couldn't stand that job." And it's natural in questions: "How can you stand this music?"

Because it's strong, be careful using it about people who might hear you. With friends, it's fine. About a coworker in the office kitchen, maybe say "I'm not a big fan of" instead.

Examples

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Fill the gap

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  1. 1

    I can't stand (wait) for the bus in the rain.

  2. 2

    She (can't stand) loud music when she's working.

  3. 3

    He (couldn't stand) the food at that hotel.

  4. 4

    How can you (stand) this heat?

  5. 5

    My kids can't stand (do) homework on Sundays.

  6. 6

    I can't stand people (talk) on the phone at the movies.

  7. 7

    We (not / stand) that song anymore, it's everywhere.

  8. 8

    Sora can't stand (spicy food), so order something mild.

Practice · 3 min

List five things you can't stand, from small annoyances to big ones. Write each with "I can't stand", then say them out loud to someone, or to yourself, with the reason.

  • I can't stand ___ , because ___ .
  • I can't stand ___ -ing, especially when ___ .
  • I can't stand people who ___ .
  • When I was a kid, I couldn't stand ___ .
  • I used to hate ___ , but now I can stand it.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.