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.
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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.
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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.
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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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No way, what else can I have instead of chips? | まさか。チップスの代わりなんて他に何があるんだい? |
We can continue talking about that on the train. | 続きは電車の中で、詳しく話そうよ。 |
Can you open the tube map for me? | 地下鉄の路線図を開いて見せてくれる? |
Hmm, nope, I think we can buy everything here. | んー、いや、全部ここで買えると思う。 |
I can't promise, but we can try, at least. | 確約はできないけど、少なくとも試すことはできるよ。 |
Sorry... Beary! Come here, my boy, seems we have to wait a while. | すまないな...ベリー!良い子だからこっちにおいで、どうやらしばらく待つ必要があるみたいだ。 |
Hello, Camden-City Real Estate, how can I help you? | もしもし。カムデン・シティ不動産です。どのような御用件でしょうか? |
Umm, can I do it after I smoke? | う~ん、タバコを吸ってからでもいいかな? |
It's not easy, but not impossible, in the end, you can get it. | それは簡単じゃないわ、でも不可能でもないわ。最終的にもらえるわよ。 |
Yes, normally, that's what they should do. | ええ、普通はね。それがあの人たちの仕事だもの。 |
Can you make 4 serves so we can give some to Bear, too? | 4人分作れるかい?そしたらベアにも少し分けてあげられるからさ? |
I can't find my bra, can you see it? | ブラジャーが見つからないんだけど、分かる? |
We can get the other things on the way back. | 帰りに他のものを取れるよ。 |
Check the cupboard just in front of you, it should be there. | ちょうど君の目の前にある食器棚をチェックしてみて、そこにあるはずだよ。 |
We can see how Bear and Pogo get on together. | ポゴとベアが一緒になったらどんな風になるか見れるね。 |
Alright... Ah! I can see it now! | 承知しました… ああ! ございました! |
Umm, I guess it must be in zone-2... | う~ん、たしか第二区のはずよ… |
Hey, it's my turn, but I think Pogo should go first. | おや、僕の番だ。でもポゴが最初に行ったほうが良いと思う。 |
I'm not sure, I have to check my calendar first! | ちょっと待って。先に予定を確認しないと! |
Can you please stop being stupid, dear? | あなた、バカなことやめてくれるかしら? |