Italiano
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.
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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 | |
|---|---|
| So you can choose something else, or I can get you a beer? | Così puoi scegliere qualcos'altro o ti porto una birra? |
| The burglar might like it. | Il ladro avrebbe apprezzato. |
| You know what, I can't see any cutlery in the drawer! | Sai che c’è, non vedo posate nel cassetto! |
| Really? The walls are in very bad condition, they have to be re-painted... | Davvero? Le pareti sono in pessime condizioni, devono essere ridipinte… |
| You don't have to take me to a very fancy restaurant... | Non devi portarmi in un ristorante molto elegante… |
| They should be back any time. | Dovrebbero tornare a momenti. |
| I thought I could look for more houses before my second appointment. | Pensavo di poter cercare altre case prima del secondo appuntamento. |
| Can't you use another rice instead? | Non puoi usare un altro riso al suo posto? |
| Oh, so I should keep my expectations low for tonight, then! | Oh, allora dovrei tenere le aspettative basse per stasera! |
| I see, but shouldn't they have given you at least a month's notice? | Capisco, ma non avrebbero dovuto darti un preavviso di almeno un mese? |
| I'm not homophobic, but still you should've told me that before. | Non sono omofobico, ma penso comunque che avresti dovuto dirmelo prima. |
| You can sit on the sofa and hold him on your lap. | Puoi sederti sul divano e tenerlo sulle ginocchia. |
| We could use theirs for once. | Per una volta potremmo usare la loro. |
| Hello, Diamond Duck, can I help you? | Pronto, Diamond Duck, posso aiutarvi? |
| He is a bit of a d*ck, as you might have already realised. | È un po' uno str*nzo, come forse avete già potuto capire. |
| Can you please stop being stupid, dear? | Puoi per favore smettere di fare lo stupido, caro? |
| Umm... I'm sorry, but I can't find a booking in that name. | Umm… Mi dispiace, ma non trovo una prenotazione a quel nome. |
| You shouldn't smoke where we sleep. | Non dovresti fumare dove dormiamo. |
| Too bad, they must have understood you are a liar, then. | Tanto peggio, devono aver capito che sei una bugiarda, allora. |
| How can I turn it on? | Come faccio ad accenderlo? |
