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 | |
---|---|
It's not easy, but not impossible, in the end, you can get it. | 这并不容易,但也不是不可能,你最终可以请下来。 |
Mr. Jones, I'm calling about the house in Angel! Can you hear me? | 琼斯先生,我打电话时为了Angel的房子!你能听到我说话吗? |
Mike, you are cutting out, I can't hear you! | 迈克,你断线了,我听不到你说话! |
Umm, yeah, I think we should consider living in Angel, too. | 嗯,是的,我想我们也要考虑下住在Angel。 |
I see, can you get a month long holiday from work? | 明白了,你可以请一个月的长假吗? |
I can understand that. | 对此我可以理解。 |
Umm... I'm sorry, but I can't find a booking in that name. | 嗯... 对不起,但是我没找到那个名字的预订。 |
Yes there were, but they must have been taken 50 years ago! | 是的有,但它们一定是50年前照的! |
It must be very difficult for your mum. | 你妈一定非常不容易。 |
It's a very long time, who could stand it? | 时间太长了,谁能忍受地了? |
I can pay 700 or maximum 750 per month, only if I have to! | 每月我可以支付700,或者最多750,实在没办法的话! |
We can wander around till 7 or 8 and have some drinks, maybe. | 我们可以先在周围逛到七八点,喝点饮料,也许。 |
Can you call the manager and get back to me ASAP? | 你可以打电话给经理,然后尽快回复我吗? |
After hearing the pooping story, I'm not sure I should offer this... | 在听到大小便故事之后,我不确定我是否应当主动提出... |
Sorry Mike, I can't hear you, I have to hang up. | 对不起,迈克,我听不到你说话,我得挂电话了。 |
After I finish unpacking my suitcase, we can put them in there. | 把我手提箱里的东西取出来后,我们可以把它们放在那里。 |
Haven't decided yet, but you can call me when you finish. | 还没有决定,但是你收工的时候可以打电话给我。 |
Of course, but I can only peel the potatoes with a peeler. | 当然,但是我只能使用削皮器来去掉土豆皮。 |
Okay, can you boil some water in the kettle, then? | 好的,你可以用水壶烧点水吗? |
I believe with four of us we can afford it easily. | 我相信我们四个可以很容易就支付得起。 |