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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Can you separate your clothes, then? | Мы можем тогда отделить твою одежду? |
I thought I could look for more houses before my second appointment. | Думала, смогу поискать еще дома до моей следующей встречи. |
You know, the landlords should give you some kitchen utensils. | Знаешь, хозяева должны были бы обеспечить вас какими-нибудь кухонными приспособлениями. |
I can't hear you, Mike! | Я не слышу тебя, Майк! |
Can you come for a second? You can talk to him later! | Можешь подойти на секундочку? Ты можешь поговорить с ним позже! |
Then we might not be able to find it here, either. | Тогда здесь мы его тоже не сможем найти. |
What do you mean by they can't get married legally? | А что ты имеешь в виду, говоря что они не могут официально быть женаты? |
Umm, yeah, I think we should consider living in Angel, too. | Ну да, я думаю, нам надо найти жилье в Энджел. |
I don't think electric stoves can make the pan burn! | Я не думаю, что сковородка на электрической плите может загореться! |
You must be joking! | Ты должно быть шутишь! |
Yes darling, we just live in the house next door, you can come anytime! | Да, дорогой, мы живем в доме рядом, можете приходить в любое время! |
I said it was a mistake, I was terribly sorry, what else could I say? | Я сказала, что ошиблась и мне очень жаль, а что еще я могла сказать? |
But... Maybe, we can say it's like the sci-fi version of Pinocchio. | Но...Может быть, мы можем сказать, что это научно-фантастический вариант Пиноккио. |
But I have to finish doing everything today. | Но я должна закончить все делать сегодня. |
Can't you have the meeting another time? | Разве нельзя встретиться в другой раз? |
Can't your housemates look after him? | А твои соседи не могут за ним присмотреть? |
That movie might even be older than me! | Этот фильм, наверное, даже старше меня! |
I can't decide if I should get calamari or shrimp. | Я не могу решить, заказать мне кальмар или креветки. |
I think the chicken must be ready by now. | Думаю, курица должна быть уже готова. |
Or maybe we can just ask them when we see them in the house? | Или, может быть, мы просто можем спросить их, когда увидим их в доме? |