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.
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.
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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 use gumtree.com, are there any others you can recommend? | Ich verwende gumtree.com. Gibt es andere die du empfehlen kannst? |
I can't decide if I should get calamari or shrimp. | Ich kann mich nicht entscheiden, ob ich Tintenfisch oder Garnelen nehmen soll. |
Can you call the manager and get back to me ASAP? | Kannst du den Manager anrufen und mich anschließend so schnell wie möglich wieder kontaktieren? |
But... Maybe, we can say it's like the sci-fi version of Pinocchio. | Aber... Vielleicht können wir sagen es ist wie die Sci-Fi-Version von Pinocchio. |
You are going to ask me if I can take Bear out. | Du wirst mich fragen, ob ich mit Bear Gassi gehen kann. |
Or maybe I can have some drinks with friends from work. | Oder vielleicht mit Freunden aus der Arbeit etwas trinken gehen. |
You shouldn't smoke where we sleep. | Du solltest nicht dort rauchen, wo wir schlafen. |
Can I get you some drinks to start with? | Kann ich Ihnen für den Anfang etwas zu trinken bringen? |
Can you please stop being stupid, dear? | Kannst du bitte aufhören dumm zu sein, Schatz? |
I think they should be more understanding. | Ich denke, sie sollten mehr Verständnis zeigen. |
By just paying a little bit more you could've rented a house in better condition. | Wenn du ein bisschen mehr gezahlt hättest, dann hättest du ein Haus mieten können, dass sich in einem besseren Zustand befindet. |
Can't you use another rice instead? | Kannst du stattdessen nicht einen anderen Reis verwenden? |
I thought I could look for more houses before my second appointment. | Ich dachte mir ich kann mich vor meinem zweiten Termin nach weiteren Häusern umsehen. |
Oh yes, I can see it now. | Oh ja, jetzt sehe ich's. |
Could it be anywhere else? | Kann es irgendwo anders 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. |
We can get return tickets when we come back. | Wir können uns auf dem Rückweg die Fahrscheine holen. |
Mike, you are cutting out, I can't hear you! | Mike, die Verbindung ist ganz schlecht, ich kann dich nicht hören! |
Hm, I would like to see her, but I don't think we should disturb her. | Hm, ich würde sie gerne sehen, aber ich denke wir sollten sie nicht stören. |
Can't we have the meeting without the f*cking IT manager! | Können wir das Treffen nicht ohne den verf*ckten IT-Manager haben?! |