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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Maybe you can teach me how to make phone calls. | Peut-être que tu peux m'apprendre à passer des appels. |
The train leaves in a few minutes, we should get on soon. | Le train part dans quelques minutes, on devrait embarquer bientôt. |
Then we might not be able to find it here, either. | Du coup, nous n'en trouverons pas là-bas non plus. |
Can he walk properly now? | Marche-t-il normalement maintenant ? |
I'm so excited, we should definitely do it as soon as possible. | Je suis tellement excitée, on devrait le faire dès que possible. |
I thought you might not like strong coffees. | Je me suis dit que tu n'aimais peut-être pas les cafés forts. |
And I can hold Bear, we can let them sniff each other first. | Et je peux tenir Bear, on peut les laisser se renifler. |
Okay, I can make an appointment for you at 1 o'clock. | Okay, je peux prendre rendez-vous pour vous à 13h. |
Yes, normally, that's what they should do. | Oui, normalement, c'est ce qu'ils devraient faire. |
Maybe we should start looking for houses in the suburbs first. | Peut-être que nous devrions d'abord commencer par regarder des maisons en banlieue. |
I'm not sure, I have to check my calendar first! | Je ne sais pas, je dois voir mon agenda d'abord! |
I don't think so, she could have been her great-grandmother, maybe. | Je ne pense pas, ça aurait pu être son arrière grand-mère. |
I have finished my wine, we can leave any time you want. | J'ai fini mon vin, nous pouvons partir quand tu veux. |
I think they should be more understanding. | Je trouve qu'ils devraient être un peu plus compréhensifs. |
I don't know, it's up to you, you can cook anything you like. | Je ne sais pas, c'est à toi de voir, tu peux préparer ce que tu veux. |
I'm not homophobic, but still you should've told me that before. | Je ne suis pas homophobe, j'aurais juste voulu que tu me le dises. |
I can't find my bra, can you see it? | Je n'arrive pas à trouver mon soutien-gorge, tu le vois ? |
Mike, you are cutting out, I can't hear you! | Mike, ça coupe, je ne peux t'entendre! |
Possibly, also the new environment might make him feel insecure. | Probablement, ce nouvel environnement doit le perturber. |
I already couldn't sleep at all last night! | J'ai déjà pas pu dormir la nui dernière! |