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 | |
---|---|
I don't think they can legally be married! | !لا أعتقد أنهم يمكنهم الزواج بشكل قانوني |
Of course, but I can only peel the potatoes with a peeler. | .بالطبع، لكن انا استطيع تقشير البطاطس فقط بواسطة المقشرة |
I think we can let him explore the garden. | .أعتقد انه يمكننا تركه ليستكشف الحديقة |
I can't find my underwear, either! | !وانا لا يمكنني العثور على ملابسي الداخلية، كذلك |
Impossible dear, you can smoke in the kitchen or the garden! | !مستحيل عزيزي، يمكنك التدخين في المطبخ أو الحديقة |
I see, can you get a month long holiday from work? | أفهم ذلك، هل يمكنكِ الحصول على شهر أجازة من العمل؟ |
When can I pick up my money?! | !متى يمكننى الحصول على أموالى؟ |
Can you make 4 serves so we can give some to Bear, too? | هل يمكنك عمل أربعة وجبات حتى نتمكن من إعطاء البعض لبير، أيضاً؟ |
Hmm, well, I guess I have to think about it. | .مممم, حسناً, أعتقد أننى سأفكر فى هذا الأمر |
Joseph, I'm taking the room, we can sign the contract! | !جوزيف، سأخذ الغرفة، يمكننا توقيع العقد |
I thought you might not like strong coffees. | .إعتقدت انك قد لا تحب القهوة القوية |
I'm so excited, we should definitely do it as soon as possible. | .انا متحمسة للغاية، يجب ان نفعل ذلك بالتأكيد فى أقرب وقت ممكن |
I'm not sure, I have to check my calendar first! | !لست متأكدَا، يجب ان أتفقد جدولي أولًا |
I think the chicken must be ready by now. | .أعتقد ان الدجاج يجب ان يكون جاهزاً الان |
Yes, sorry, I have to run! | !نعم, أسفة, يجب ان أجرى |
Can I get you some drinks to start with? | هل يمكننى أن أحضر لكما بعض المشروبات لتبدأوا بها؟ |
I could only find some eggs, some undated bacon and some olives. | .لم أجد الا بعض البيض، و بعض من اللحم الغير مؤرخ و بعض الزيتون |
Of course, we can leave whenever you want. | .بالطبع، يمكننا الذهاب الى اى مكان تريدينه |
Oh, so I should keep my expectations low for tonight, then! | !اوه، إذاً يجب الا أتوقع الكثير الليلة |
But I wonder what it says, can you show it to me, too? | لكن انا أتسائل ماذا تقول، هل يمكنك أن تريها لي، أيضاً؟ |