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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I don't think they can legally be married! | Ich denke nicht, dass sie legal heiraten können! |
I see, can you get a month long holiday from work? | Ich verstehe. Kannst du dir einen Monat Urlaub nehmen? |
Hey, it's my turn, but I think Pogo should go first. | Hey, ich bin an der Reihe, aber ich denke Pogo sollte zuerst gehen. |
You shouldn't have woken her up in the morning! | Du hättest sie in der Früh nicht wecken sollen! |
I'm very sorry! I couldn't let you know any earlier. | Es tut mir wirklich sehr leid! Ich konnte es dir nicht früher mitteilen. |
Umm... I'm sorry, but I can't find a booking in that name. | Ähm... Es tut mir Leid, aber ich kann keine Reservierung für diesen Namen finden. |
Umm, yeah, I think we should consider living in Angel, too. | Ähm ja, ich denke wir sollten auch erwägen in Angel zu leben. |
I can try to use as many as I can. | Ich kann versuchen so viele zu verwenden, wie möglich. |
Hello, Diamond Duck, can I help you? | Hallo, Diamond Duck. Wie kann ich Ihnen helfen? |
So I guess we have to see the next one now. | Ich schätze wir müssen uns dann das Nächste ansehen. |
Can he walk properly now? | Kann er mittlerweile richtig laufen? |
You must be joking! | Du musst wohl Witze machen! |
She could leave the front door open and let them out! | Sie könnte die Haustüre offen lassen und sie herauslassen! |
I can use incense for the smell... | Ich kann Räucherstäbchen gegen den Geruch verwenden... |
Too bad, they must have understood you are a liar, then. | Pech gehabt. Sie müssen dann verstanden haben, dass du eine Lügnerin bist. |
Yeah, so how can you set wood on fire? | Ja, also wie kann man Holz zum Brennen bringen? |
Can't your housemates look after him? | Können deine Mitbewohner nicht auf ihn aufpassen? |
We can use matches... Or a lighter! | Man kann Streichhölzer verwenden... Oder ein Feuerzeug! |
Then we can talk, maybe! | Dann können wir vielleicht darüber reden! |
I brought one, maybe you should bring one, too. | Ich habe mir eine mitgenommen. Du solltest wahrscheinlich auch eine mitnehmen. |