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.
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'm already doing all the donkey work, how else can I help? | Ya estoy haciendo todo el trabajo pesado, ¿cómo más puedo ayudar? |
Umm, I guess it must be in zone-2... | Umm, creo que debe ser en la zona-2... |
You must work very hard. | Debes trabajar muy duro. |
I've got my oyster card, can I use it to buy a ticket? | Tengo mi tarjeta Oyster, ¿puedo usarla para comprar un billete? |
Hm... All the stuff on the left hand side can go. | Hm... Todas las cosas en el lado izquierdo se pueden ir. |
Can you please make your decision ASAP and let me know? | ¿Puedes tomar la decisión tan pronto como puedas y hacérmelo saber? |
You know what, I can't see any cutlery in the drawer! | Sabes qué, ¡no he visto nada de cubertería en el cajón! |
I'm already scared, can you please stop with that evil thing? | Ya estoy asustada, ¿podrías por favor detenerte con eso de la maldad? |
You know, the landlords should give you some kitchen utensils. | Ya sabes, los arrendadores deben darte algunos utensilios de cocina. |
Can you make 4 serves so we can give some to Bear, too? | ¿Puedes hacer para 4 raciones y así podemos dar un poco a Bear también? |
Joseph, I'm taking the room, we can sign the contract! | Joseph, sí ocuparé la habitación, ¡podemos firmar el contrato! |
I can use incense for the smell... | Puedo usar incienso para el olor... |
Okay, the earliest I can take Bear out is 7. | De acuerdo, lo más temprano que puedo sacar a Bear es a las 7. |
Hey, it's my turn, but I think Pogo should go first. | Hey, es mi turno, pero creo que Pogo debería ir primero. |
And I can hold Bear, we can let them sniff each other first. | Y yo puedo aguantar a Bear, podemos dejar que se huelan uno al otro primero. |
Okay, can you tell me what it is, then? | Vale, ¿puedes decirme qué es, entonces? |
That's nice, can we add some beer to it for me, also? | Eso está bien, ¿podemos añadir un poco de cerveza para mí también? |
Maybe she could even put some poison in their food! | ¡O tal vez podría poner veneno en su comida! |
When can I pick up my money?! | ¡¿Cuándo puedo recoger mi dinero?! |
How can I turn it on? | ¿Cómo lo enciendo? |