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 | |
---|---|
Okay, can I have it with some barbecued scorpions on the side? | 好的,我可以点一些烤蝎子和鸭肉一起吃吗? |
Umm, yeah, I think we should consider living in Angel, too. | 嗯,是的,我想我们也要考虑下住在Angel。 |
I can smell something nice. | 我闻到了一股很香的味道。 |
Hello guys, I can hear you shouting from upstairs. | 大家好,我在楼上听到你们在大喊。 |
After I finish unpacking my suitcase, we can put them in there. | 把我手提箱里的东西取出来后,我们可以把它们放在那里。 |
Sorry Mike, I can't hear you, I have to hang up. | 对不起,迈克,我听不到你说话,我得挂电话了。 |
How can you be so sure? | 你怎么这么确定? |
But I have to do it sometimes to visit my family. | 但是有时候为了探望我的家人,我只能这么做。 |
Why can French restaurants serve bugs, but Chinese ones can't? | 为什么法国餐厅提供虫子,但中国餐厅不能呢? |
You know I work from home, so I can easily take care of them both. | 你知道我在家里工作,所以我能够轻松照顾它们两个。 |
Of course, we can leave whenever you want. | 当然,我们随时可以出发,只要你愿意。 |
That's better, we can get some thighs. | 那好多了,我们可以买点鸡大腿。 |
I'm not sure, I have to check my calendar first! | 我不确定,我得先查下我的日历! |
After hearing the pooping story, I'm not sure I should offer this... | 在听到大小便故事之后,我不确定我是否应当主动提出... |
I'm so excited, we should definitely do it as soon as possible. | 我很兴奋,我们应该尽快这样做。 |
I thought I could look for more houses before my second appointment. | 我觉得自己可以在去看第二个房子前,再找更多的房子。 |
As far as I know, you can only order the things on the menu. | 据我所知,你只能带你菜单上有点。 |
I see, can you get a month long holiday from work? | 明白了,你可以请一个月的长假吗? |
Hey, it's my turn, but I think Pogo should go first. | 嘿,到我了,但我觉得波哥应该先来。 |
We can ask the shop assistant first. | 我们可以先问一下售货员。 |