Poder standing alone as a verb: These are the main exceptions to the rule that poder must be followed by an infinitive:
- When the infinitive is implied by the context. No puedo. ("I can't.") ¿Quién puede más? ("Who can do more?")
- In the impersonal expression puede que, usually followed by a verb in the subjunctive, meaning "perhaps" or "it is possible." Puede que salga. ("Perhaps he will leave.")
- In the expression poder con, translated in various ways such as "to manage" or "to cope." No puedo con ella. ("I can't handle her.") No puedo con el enojo. ("I can't deal with the anger.")
- In various expression where it means roughly "could do." La curiosidad pudo más que el miedo (roughly, "his curiosity overcame his fear"). No pude menos que dar gracias. ("I couldn't do anything less than giving thanks.")
- In the idiom a más no poder, which means "as much as possible" or "to the utmost." Jugaba a más no poder. ("He played as hard as he could.") Es feo a más no poder. ("It's as ugly as could be.")
- In the expression ¿Se puede?, meaning "Can I come in?"
