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.
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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.
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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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You can buy me a beer for giving you my turn. | Vous pouvez acheter un bière et la mettre à mon compte. |
You can sit on the sofa and hold him on your lap. | Tu peux t'asseoir sur le sofa et le tenir sur tes genoux. |
We could use theirs for once. | On peut se servir des leurs pour une fois. |
You don't have to take me to a very fancy restaurant... | Tu n'es pas obligée de m'emmener à un restaurant très populaire... |
The train leaves in a few minutes, we should get on soon. | Le train part dans quelques minutes, on devrait embarquer bientôt. |
We can ask the shop assistant first. | Nous pourrions demander à un assistant d'abord. |
I wish I could, but I can't, I have to get ready for work. | J'aimerais bien, mais je ne peux pas, je dois me préparer pour le travail. |
I can smell something nice. | Je sens quelque chose de bon. |
Yes, it should be hidden somewhere in the top drawer. | Oui, il devrait y en avoir un caché dans le tiroir d'en dessous. |
I may need to leave him with Mike sometimes. | Je vais peut être devoir le laisser avec Mike pendant. |
You must work very hard. | Vous devez travailler très dur. |
I think we can let him explore the garden. | Je pense qu'on peut le laisser explorer le jardin. |
You know, the landlords should give you some kitchen utensils. | Tu sais, les propriétaires devraient te donner des ustensiles de cusine. |
We can use the queue that goes faster. | Nous pouvons utiliser la queue qui va plus vite. |
I can't decide if I should get calamari or shrimp. | Je n'arrive pas à décider si je dois prendre du calamar ou des crevettes. |
I can try to use as many as I can. | Je peux essayer d'en utiliser autant que je peux. |
Impossible dear, you can smoke in the kitchen or the garden! | Impossible chéri, tu peux fumer dans la cuisine ou dans le jardin ! |
I could only find some eggs, some undated bacon and some olives. | J'ai juste pu trouver des oeufs, du bacon non daté et des olives. |
No, you have to bring your own or buy new ones, dear. | Non, vous devez amener les vôtres ou bien en acheter de nouveaux ma chère. |
Can he walk properly now? | Marche-t-il normalement maintenant ? |