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.
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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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Same, I can take you out for dinner! | !نفس الشيء، يمكنني أخذك للعشاء في الخارج |
I could only find some eggs, some undated bacon and some olives. | .لم أجد الا بعض البيض، و بعض من اللحم الغير مؤرخ و بعض الزيتون |
Of course, but I can only peel the potatoes with a peeler. | .بالطبع، لكن انا استطيع تقشير البطاطس فقط بواسطة المقشرة |
Okay, can I have it with some barbecued scorpions on the side? | حسنًا، هل يمكنني تناول ذلك بجانب بعض العقارب المشوية؟ |
He is a bit of a d*ck, as you might have already realised. | .و هو أحمقاً نوعاً ما, كما لاحظتم بالفعل |
You can sit on the sofa and hold him on your lap. | . يمكنك الجلوس على الأريكة و إحتضانه |
I'm not sure, I have to check my calendar first! | !لست متأكدَا، يجب ان أتفقد جدولي أولًا |
That movie might even be older than me! | !هذا الفيلم ربما يكون أقدم مني |
We can do it whenever you like. | .يمكننا أن نقوم بذلك فى أى وقت تحبينه |
You should feel very lucky having him as a friend. | .يجب ان تشعر انك محظوظ لكونه صديقك |
Can you call the manager and get back to me ASAP? | هل يمكنكٍ الإتصال بالمدير و العودة الى فى أقرب وقت؟ |
Hello guys, I can hear you shouting from upstairs. | .مرحبًا يارفاق، يمكنني سماعكم تصيحون من الاعلى |
Of course, you can have whatever you want. | .بالطبع يمكنك الحصول على ما تريد |
I guess we should go and check another store. | .أعتقد انه يجب أن نذهب و نتفقد متجر أخر |
I thought I could look for more houses before my second appointment. | .إعتقدت أنه بإمكاني البحث عن المزيد من المنازل قبل الموعد الثاني |
The train leaves in a few minutes, we should get on soon. | .سيغادر القطار فى خلال دقائق، يجب ان نصعد فى أقرب وقت |
He can get some bread on his way back. | .يمكنه إحضار بعض الخبز و هو فى طريقه للعودة |
Really? The walls are in very bad condition, they have to be re-painted... | ...حقًا؟ الحوائط في حالة سيئة للغاية، تحتاج إلى إعادة طلائها |
Yes, it should be hidden somewhere in the top drawer. | .أجل، يجب ان تكون مختفية فى مكان ما فى الدرج العلوى |
When can I pick up my money?! | !متى يمكننى الحصول على أموالى؟ |