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 wish I could, but I can't, I have to get ready for work. | .أتمنى لو يمكنني، لكن لا يمكنني، يجب أن استعد للذهاب للعمل |
No, you have to bring your own or buy new ones, dear. | .لا، ستحتاجين لإحضار الخاص بكِ او شراء واحد جديد، ياعزيزتي |
I don't think so, she could have been her great-grandmother, maybe. | .لا أعتقد ذلك، قد تكون أم جدتها، ربما |
Can you come for a second? You can talk to him later! | !هل يمكنك أن تأتي لثانية؟ يمكنك التحدث معه لاحقًا |
Why can French restaurants serve bugs, but Chinese ones can't? | لماذا يمكن للمطاعم الفرنسية تقديم البق، بينما لا تستطيع الصينية ذلك؟ |
I've just been informed that the IT manager can't be here today. | .لقد تم إخبارى للتو ان مدير تكنولوجيا المعلومات لن يكون قادراً على التواجد اليوم |
Mike, you are cutting out, I can't hear you! | !مايك الخط يقطع، انا لا أستطيع سماعك |
Sorry to interrupt your story, but I really have to go now! | !أسفة لمقاطعة قصتك لكن حقاً يجب أن أذهب الان |
Okay, but can we talk about when to meet first? | حسنًا، لكن هل يمكننا ان نتحدث عن متى سنتقابل أولًا؟ |
I can tell their sex from their face. | .يمكننى معرفة جنسهم بمجرد النظر الى وجوههم |
But we should tell them to clean up the mess. | .لكن يجب علينا ان نخبرهم ان يقوموا بتنظيف الفوضى |
Great! Can I have your number, then? | رائع! هل يمكننى الحصول على رقمك إذاً؟ |
I may need to leave him with Mike sometimes. | .فقد أحتاج لتركه مع مايك فى بعض الأوقات |
It's not easy, but not impossible, in the end, you can get it. | .ليس من السهل، لكن ليس مستحيلاً، فى النهاية يمكنك الحصول عليه |
We can use matches... Or a lighter! | !يمكننا إستخدام أعواد الثقاب...أو ولاعة |
You can buy me a beer for giving you my turn. | .يمكنك شراء الجعة لى مقابل إعطاء دورى لكِ |
Too bad, they must have understood you are a liar, then. | .هذا سيء للغاية، يجب أنهم قد فهموا أنكِ كاذبة، إذًا |
I see, can you get a month long holiday from work? | أفهم ذلك، هل يمكنكِ الحصول على شهر أجازة من العمل؟ |
How can you be so sure? | كيف يمكنك أن تكون متأكدًا للغاية؟ |
Another big problem is, I can't take Pogo with me. | .مشكلة أخرى هى، أننى لا أستطيع أن أخذ بوجو معى |