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.
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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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Have you watched A.I.? It's quite violent, too, you might like it. | Hast du A.I. gesehen? Er ist auch ziemlich gewalttätig. Du magst ihn vielleicht. |
It's not easy, but not impossible, in the end, you can get it. | Es ist schwer, aber nicht unmöglich. Letztendlich bekommt man den Urlaub. |
Can you open the tube map for me? | Kannst du die U-Bahn-Karte für mich öffnen? |
We can ask the shop assistant first. | Wir können zuerst einen Verkäufer fragen. |
I see, but shouldn't they have given you at least a month's notice? | Ich verstehe, aber hätten sie dir nicht mindestens einen Monat Zeit geben sollen? |
We can get return tickets when we come back. | Wir können uns auf dem Rückweg die Fahrscheine holen. |
Um, I'm going to finish at 5, we can meet at 17:30 if you like. | Ähm, ich werde um 17 Uhr fertig sein. Wir können uns um 17:30 Uhr treffen, wenn du möchtest. |
But we should tell them to clean up the mess. | Aber wir sollten ihnen sagen, dass sie den Scherbenhaufen wegmachen sollen. |
Yes, normally, that's what they should do. | Ja, das hätten sie normalerweise tun sollen. |
We can get the other things on the way back. | Wir können die anderen Dinge auf dem Rückweg besorgen. |
You should, it might be more helpful to find some houses around here. | Du solltest dir die Zeit nehmen, es könnte dir vielleicht helfen ein paar Häuser hier in der Gegend zu finden. |
Maybe she could even put some poison in their food! | Oder sie könnte vielleicht sogar ihr Essen vergiften! |
I said it was a mistake, I was terribly sorry, what else could I say? | Ich habe ihr gesagt, dass es ein Fehler war und dass es mir sehr Leid tut, was hätte ich sonst sagen können? |
Maybe we can just borrow two slices of bread, then. | Wir könnten uns dann vielleicht zwei Scheiben Brot leihen. |
Impossible dear, you can smoke in the kitchen or the garden! | Unmöglich Schatz. Du kannst in der Küche oder im Garten rauchen! |
Check the cupboard just in front of you, it should be there. | Schau in den Schrank vor dir, es sollte dort sein. |
Umm, I guess it must be in zone-2... | Ähm, ich denke es müsste Zone 2 sein... |
Yes, it should be hidden somewhere in the top drawer. | Ja, er sollte irgendwo in der obersten Schublade versteckt sein. |
I think the chicken must be ready by now. | Ich denke das Hühnchen müsste jetzt fertig sein. |
Just a sec, I printed the recipe, I have to find it in my bag. | Einen kurzen Augenblick, ich habe das Rezept ausgedruckt. Ich muss es nur in meiner Tasche finden. |