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.
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Note : Can is not used to talk about specific possibilities.
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In English, could is used to talk about past ability/ permission/ possibility.
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"Be able to" can be used in the present, past, future, present perfect and as a gerund or infinitive.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Note : You can often use can't or be + not allowed to instead of mustn't.
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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.
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In English we use must when we are sure something is true.
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In English we use may or might when we think something is possibly true.
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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 | |
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I think we should move from that house as soon as we can! | ¡Creo que deberíamos mudarnos de esa casa tan pronto como podamos! |
It's already scary dear, you don't have to make it scarier! | ¡Ya es lo suficientemente tenebroso querido, no lo tienes qué hacer peor! |
I don't think they can legally be married! | ¡No creo que ellos puedan casarse legalmente! |
I think we can let him explore the garden. | Creo que podemos dejarlo explorar el jardín. |
You know what, I can't see any cutlery in the drawer! | Sabes qué, ¡no he visto nada de cubertería en el cajón! |
Okay, we can put all my winter clothes away, then. | De acuerdo, podemos poner en otro lado mi ropa de invierno. |
Can't you have the meeting another time? | ¿No puedes tener la reunión en otro momento? |
But... Maybe, we can say it's like the sci-fi version of Pinocchio. | Pero... Tal vez, podríamos decir que es la versión en ciencia ficción de Pinocho. |
But we should tell them to clean up the mess. | Pero deberíamos decirles que limpien el desorden. |
Can you separate your clothes, then? | ¿Puedes entonces separar tu ropa? |
Of course, but I can only peel the potatoes with a peeler. | Por supuesto, pero solo puedo pelar patatas con un pelador. |
I'm just concerned about whether we can afford to rent a house! | ¡Sólo me pregunto si en verdad podemos pagar la renta de una casa! |
I don't know if I should thank you or punch you in the face! | ¡No sé si debería agradecerte o darte un puñetazo en la cara! |
As you might know, you should always keep an eye on your stuff at pubs. | Como debes saber, siempre tienes que mantener tus cosas a la vista cuando estás en un pub. |
Nope, that's fine... I guess I can do some window shopping... | Nop, está bien... Creo que puedo ir a mirar escaparates... |
Mr. Jones, I'm calling about the house in Angel! Can you hear me? | Sr. Jones, ¡le estoy llamando por la casa en Angel! ¿Me puede escuchar? |
Um, I'm going to finish at 5, we can meet at 17:30 if you like. | Um, yo termino a las 5, podríamos reunirnos a las 17:50 si te parece. |
I can tell their sex from their face. | Puedo saber su sexo por su cara. |
But I have to finish doing everything today. | Pero yo tengo que terminar de hacer todo esto hoy. |
Can you please stop being stupid, dear? | ¿Puedes dejar de ser estúpido, querido? |