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.
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.
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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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Um, sorry, I don't have the ad number, where can I find it? | Um, lo siento, no tengo el número de anuncio, ¿dónde puedo encontrarlo? |
Can you separate your clothes, then? | ¿Puedes entonces separar tu ropa? |
And I can hold Bear, we can let them sniff each other first. | Y yo puedo aguantar a Bear, podemos dejar que se huelan uno al otro primero. |
Can he walk properly now? | ¿Puede caminar bien ya? |
Okay, the earliest I can take Bear out is 7. | De acuerdo, lo más temprano que puedo sacar a Bear es a las 7. |
You should, it might be more helpful to find some houses around here. | Deberías hacerlo, puede que sea más útil para encontrar casas cerca de aquí. |
It's a very long time, who could stand it? | Es mucho tiempo, ¿quién podría soportarlo? |
I'm very sorry! I couldn't let you know any earlier. | ¡Lo siento mucho! No pude hacértelo saber antes. |
I'm sorry, I can't go any lower than 175! | Lo siento, ¡no puedo cobrar menos de 175! |
Yes, but don't touch it, it must be very hot. | Sí, pero no la toques, debe estar muy caliente. |
Sorry... Beary! Come here, my boy, seems we have to wait a while. | Perdona... ¡Beary! Ven aquí chico, parece que tenemos que esperar un poco. |
I thought you might not like strong coffees. | Pensé que podrían no gustarte los cafés fuertes. |
I thought I could look for more houses before my second appointment. | Pensé que podría ir a buscar más casas antes de mi segunda cita. |
Yeah, maybe next time you can put that as a note on the ad. | Sí, tal vez para la siguiente ocasión puedes poner eso como una nota en el anuncio. |
Okay, can you boil some water in the kettle, then? | Vale, ¿puedes hervir un poco de agua en la olla entonces? |
Yeah, we should add some salt. | Sí, debemos añadir sal. |
That movie might even be older than me! | ¡Puede que esa película sea más vieja que yo! |
It must be very difficult for your mum. | Debe ser muy difícil para tu madre. |
Sorry to interrupt your story, but I really have to go now! | Siento interrumpir tu historia, ¡pero me tengo que ir ahora! |
Too bad, they must have understood you are a liar, then. | Demasiado tarde, han de haber comprendido que eres una mentirosa, entonces. |