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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We should go and see my parents' house in Angel! | On devrait s'en aller et visiter la maison de mes parents à Angel! |
Have you watched A.I.? It's quite violent, too, you might like it. | As tu déjà regardé A.I. ? C'est plutôt violent aussi, tu devrais aimer ça. |
You shouldn't have woken her up in the morning! | Tu n'aurais pas dû la réveiller le matin! |
You don't have to take me to a very fancy restaurant... | Tu n'es pas obligée de m'emmener à un restaurant très populaire... |
The burglar might like it. | Le voleur pourrait apprécier. |
I can't find my bra, can you see it? | Je n'arrive pas à trouver mon soutien-gorge, tu le vois ? |
Okay, can you tell me what it is, then? | Ok, tu peux me dire ce que c'est alors? |
Why can French restaurants serve bugs, but Chinese ones can't? | Pourquoi un restaurant français servirait des insectes, mais les chinois non ? |
She could leave the front door open and let them out! | Elle pourrait laisser la porte de devant ouverte et les laisser sortir! |
I'm so excited, we should definitely do it as soon as possible. | Je suis tellement excitée, on devrait le faire dès que possible. |
No, all the cutlery should be in the top drawer! | Non, les couverts devraient être dans le tiroir du haut! |
Can't you have the meeting another time? | Tu ne peux pas avoir un autre rendez-vous? |
We can ask the shop assistant first. | Nous pourrions demander à un assistant d'abord. |
I wish I could, but I can't, I have to get ready for work. | J'aimerais bien, mais je ne peux pas, je dois me préparer pour le travail. |
It's not easy, but not impossible, in the end, you can get it. | Ce n'est pas facile, mais ce n'est pas impossible non plus, à la fin tu peux les avoir. |
Umm, can I do it after I smoke? | Heeu, je peux le faire après avoir fumé ? |
I guess we should go and check another store. | Je pense que nous devrions aller et vérifier dans un autre magasin. |
Yes there were, but they must have been taken 50 years ago! | Oui, il y en avait, mais elles ont du avoir été prises il y a 50 ans! |
He is a bit of a d*ck, as you might have already realised. | Il est un peu un c*n, comme vous avez pu déjà le remarquer. |
They might have some more in stock. | Ils en ont sûrement dans leurs réserves. |