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.
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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 like bank holidays, we still have to work tomorrow! | А я не люблю банковские праздники, нам всё равно придётся завтра работать! |
Joseph, I'm taking the room, we can sign the contract! | Джозеф, я беру эту комнату, мы можем подписать договор! |
Of course, you can have whatever you want. | Конечно! Заказывай всё, что хочешь. |
I brought one, maybe you should bring one, too. | Я свою взял, возможно, тебе тоже стоит взять свою. |
Maybe we can just borrow two slices of bread, then. | Может быть, мы тогда можем взять взаймы два кусочка хлеба. |
Can you separate your clothes, then? | Мы можем тогда отделить твою одежду? |
Hello, Diamond Duck, can I help you? | Здравствуйте, Алмазная Утка, я могу Вам помочь? |
We can see how Bear and Pogo get on together. | Мы можем посмотреть, как поведут себя вместе Пого и Беар. |
After I finish unpacking my suitcase, we can put them in there. | После того, как я закончу разбирать свой чемодан, мы можем положить одежду в него. |
My sixth sense tells me I must clean it. | Мое шестое чувство мне подсказывает, что я должен ее почистить. |
Oh yes, I can see it now. | Ой, да, теперь вижу. |
Umm, yeah, I think we should consider living in Angel, too. | Ну да, я думаю, нам надо найти жилье в Энджел. |
I said it was a mistake, I was terribly sorry, what else could I say? | Я сказала, что ошиблась и мне очень жаль, а что еще я могла сказать? |
Of course, but I can only peel the potatoes with a peeler. | Конечно, но я могу.чистить их только картофелечисткой. |
I'm sorry guys, I must have miscalculated the percentages! | Простите, ребята, видимо, я неправильно посчитал проценты! |
They might have some more in stock. | У них может быть еще на складе. |
Yeah, we should add some salt. | Да, надо добавить немного соли. |
Okay, we can put all my winter clothes away, then. | Ладно, тогда мы можем убрать всю мою зимнюю одежду. |
I thought we could keep the spare room as a study for you. | Я думала, мы могли бы оставить свободную комнату, как кабинет для тебя. |
It doesn't matter for me, you can get the one you like best. | Мне все равно, можешь купить, какой тебе больше нравится. |