In English we use should / shouldn't /ought to / oughtn't to give advice. We use should / ought to to say something is a good thing to do and shouldn't / oughtn't to say something is a bad thing to do.
Example sentences :
Note : To ask for advice we can say: What should I do?
In English, "can" is a modal verb and only has a present, past and conditional form. It can also be used with a future meaning.
Example sentences :
Note : Can is not used to talk about specific possibilities.
Example sentences :
In English, could is used to talk about past ability/ permission/ possibility.
Example sentences :
"Be able to" can be used in the present, past, future, present perfect and as a gerund or infinitive.
Example sentences :
Note : be able to in the present and past is more formal than can or could.
In English we use might or may to say something in the future is possible, but not decided.
Example sentences :
To make questions with might we usually use Do you think...?
Example questions :
In English we can also use might in short answers.
Example short answers :
In English we use have to + infinitive to say something is necessary or obligatory. We normally use have to for a general obligation from an outside source, such as work or the law.
Examples sentences :
In English we use don't have to + infinitive to say something is not necessary or obligatory. It means you can if you want to, but it's not necessary.
Example sentences :
To make questions we use do/does.
Example questions :
Form : ( Must + infinitive without to )
In English we use must + infinitive to talk about rules and obligations. We normally use must when the speaker imposes the obligation, such as a teacher to students, or even to yourself.
Form : ( Mustn't + infinitive without to )
In English we use mustn't + infinitive to say something is prohibited.
Example sentences :
Note : You can often use can't or be + not allowed to instead of mustn't.
Example sentences :
Note : Mustn't and don't have to have completely different meanings.
Mustn't Vs Don't Have To
Note : Have to is a normal verb and exists in all tenses whereas must is a modal verb and its only forms are must and mustn't.
You can also use have to and must for strong recommendations.
Example sentences :
In English we use must when we are sure something is true.
Example sentences :
In English we use may or might when we think something is possibly true.
Examples sentences :
In English we use can't when we are sure something is impossible.
Examples sentences :
Note : In this context, the opposite of must is can't, NOT mustn't!
In the past, can't, could, may, might and must for probability change to can't have, could have, may have, might have and must have + past participle (Verb 3).
In the past, should and ought to change to should have and ought to have + past participle (Verb 3).
Note : the form of "must" for obligation and "can" are exceptions.
Must for obligation changes to had to + infinitive
Can changes to could or was able to
Modal example sentences | |
---|---|
I think we should move from that house as soon as we can! | Ich denke wir sollten so schnell wie möglich aus diesem Haus ausziehen! |
Hm... All the stuff on the left hand side can go. | Hmm... Das ganze Zeug auf der linken Seite kann weg. |
Mr. Jones, I'm calling about the house in Angel! Can you hear me? | Mr. Jones ich rufe an wegen dem Haus in Angel! Können Sie mich hören? |
That's nice, can we add some beer to it for me, also? | Das ist super. Können wir für mich auch etwas Bier dazugeben? |
Okay, we can put all my winter clothes away, then. | Okay, wir können dann alle meine Winterklamotten ausräumen. |
You shouldn't smoke where we sleep. | Du solltest nicht dort rauchen, wo wir schlafen. |
I can feel Pogo's heart beating like a maniac. | Ich kann fühlen, dass Pogos Herz wie verrückt schlägt. |
Yeah, maybe next time you can put that as a note on the ad. | Ja, nächstest Mal kannst du das in der Anzeige erwähnen. |
Then we might not be able to find it here, either. | Dann finden wir ihn möglicherweise auch hier nicht. |
I already couldn't sleep at all last night! | Ich konnte die ganze letzte Nacht schon fast nicht schlafen! |
You should feel very lucky having him as a friend. | Du solltest dich glücklich schätzen, ihn als Freund zu haben. |
I think they should be more understanding. | Ich denke, sie sollten mehr Verständnis zeigen. |
Or maybe we can just ask them when we see them in the house? | Oder weil wir sie einfach fragen könnten, wenn wir sie im Haus sehen? |
You can sit on the sofa and hold him on your lap. | Du kannst auf dem Sofa sitzen und ihn auf deinem Schoß halten. |
I don't think you can use any other rice for risotto. | Ich denke man kann für Risotto keinen anderen Reis verwenden. |
Sorry to interrupt your story, but I really have to go now! | Entschuldige, dass ich deine Geschichte unterbreche, aber ich muss wirklich gehen! |
Okay, can you make the appointments before 2? | Okay, kannst du die Termine vor 14 Uhr ausmachen? |
We can continue talking about that on the train. | Wir können im Zug weiter darüber reden. |
So you can choose something else, or I can get you a beer? | Damit du etwas anderes auswählen kannst oder ich kann dir ein Bier bringen? |
Yes, normally, that's what they should do. | Ja, das hätten sie normalerweise tun sollen. |