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.
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 | |
|---|---|
| But I wonder what it says, can you show it to me, too? | Ma mi domando cosa dice, puoi mostrarlo anche a me? |
| We can continue talking about that on the train. | Possiamo continuare a parlarne sul treno. |
| No way, what else can I have instead of chips? | Non ci credo, cos’altro posso mangiare invece delle patatine? |
| I don't like bank holidays, we still have to work tomorrow! | Non mi piacciono le ferie bancarie, dobbiamo lavorare comunque domani! |
| But I have to be in Brighton in the afternoon. | Ma devo andare a Brighton nel pomeriggio. |
| Hmm, nope, I think we can buy everything here. | Hmm, no credo che possiamo comprare tutto qui. |
| It's not easy, but not impossible, in the end, you can get it. | Non è semplice, ma non impossibile, alla fine ce la puoi fare. |
| Cate, my queue is going faster, you can come over here. | Cate, la mia fila sta andando più veloce, puoi venire qui. |
| 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 don't know, it's up to you, you can cook anything you like. | Non so, fai tu, puoi cucinare qualsiasi cosa vuoi. |
| I guess I can leave around four-ish. | Credo di potermene andare verso le quattro. |
| Yeah, we should add some salt. | Sì, dovremmo aggiungere un po’ di sale. |
| Okay, but can we talk about when to meet first? | Ok, ma possiamo parlare di dove incontrarci prima? |
| But... Maybe, we can say it's like the sci-fi version of Pinocchio. | Mah… Forse, possiamo dire che è come la versione fantascientifica di Pinocchio. |
| Yes, it should be hidden somewhere in the top drawer. | Sì, dovrebbe essere nascosto da qualche parte nel cassetto in cima. |
| Maybe we can just borrow two slices of bread, then. | Magari possiamo prendere in presto solo due fette di pane allora. |
| Sure, the room is empty so you can move in whenever you like. | Certo, la stanza è vuota quindi puoi trasferirti quando vuoi. |
| After hearing the pooping story, I'm not sure I should offer this... | Dopo aver sentito la storia della cacca, non sono sicuro di farti questa offerta… |
| I brought one, maybe you should bring one, too. | Io ne ho portata una, magari dovresti portarne una anche tu. |
| Okay, can I have it with some barbecued scorpions on the side? | Ok, posso averla con un po’ di scorpioni al barbecue di contorno? |
