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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Hmm, nope, I think we can buy everything here. | Hmm, no credo che possiamo comprare tutto qui. |
I guess we should go and check another store. | Suppongo che dovremo andare a vedere in un altro negozio. |
I believe with four of us we can afford it easily. | Credo che noi quattro potremmo permettercelo facilmente. |
I don't think electric stoves can make the pan burn! | Non penso che i fornelli elettrici possono far bruciare la padella! |
I have to go home and check on Pogo first. | Devo ritornare a casa e controllare Pogo. |
You know I work from home, so I can easily take care of them both. | Sai che lavoro da casa quindi posso prendermi cura facilmente di entrambi. |
I've just been informed that the IT manager can't be here today. | Mi hanno appena informato che l’IT manager non può essere qui oggi. |
By just paying a little bit more you could've rented a house in better condition. | Pagando un pochino di più avresti potuto prendere in affitto una casa in condizioni migliori. |
I'm just concerned about whether we can afford to rent a house! | Mi preoccupa se possiamo permetterci di prendere in affitto una casa! |
Yeah, so how can you set wood on fire? | Già, quindi come dai fuoco al legno? |
You can buy me a beer for giving you my turn. | Puoi pagarmi una birra per averti ceduto il mio turno. |
We can use the queue that goes faster. | Possiamo usare la fila che va più veloce. |
Um, I'm going to finish at 5, we can meet at 17:30 if you like. | Um, io finisco alle 5, possiamo vederci alle 17:30 se ti va. |
I don't think you can use any other rice for risotto. | Non penso si possa usare dell’altro riso per il risotto. |
Can't you have the meeting another time? | Non potete fare la riunione un’altra volta? |
Yes darling, we just live in the house next door, you can come anytime! | Sì caro, noi abitiamo nella casa accanto, può venire in ogni momento! |
Okay, can you boil some water in the kettle, then? | Ok, puoi fare bollire un po’ d’acqua nel bollitore allora? |
You must work very hard. | Devi lavorare molto. |
When can I pick up my money?! | Quando posso prendere i miei soldi?! |
After I finish unpacking my suitcase, we can put them in there. | Quando finisco di disfare la valigia, possiamo metterli lì. |