Italiano
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.
Example sentences :
Note : Can is not used to talk about specific possibilities.
Example sentences :
In English, could is used to talk about past ability/ permission/ possibility.
Example sentences :
"Be able to" can be used in the present, past, future, present perfect and as a gerund or infinitive.
Example sentences :
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.
Example sentences :
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.
Examples sentences :
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.
Example sentences :
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.
Example sentences :
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.
Example sentences :
In English we use must when we are sure something is true.
Example sentences :
In English we use may or might when we think something is possibly true.
Examples sentences :
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 | |
|---|---|
| We can continue talking about that on the train. | Possiamo continuare a parlarne sul treno. |
| Can't we have the meeting without the f*cking IT manager! | Non possiamo fare il meeting senza il f*ttuto IT manager?! |
| After I finish unpacking my suitcase, we can put them in there. | Quando finisco di disfare la valigia, possiamo metterli lì. |
| Okay, but can we talk about when to meet first? | Ok, ma possiamo parlare di dove incontrarci prima? |
| I can't find my bra, can you see it? | Non trovo il mio reggiseno, riesci a vederlo? |
| Why do you have to finish everything today? | Perché devi finire tutto quanto oggi? |
| Can I get you some drinks to start with? | Posso portarvi qualcosa da bere per iniziare? |
| I can feel Pogo's heart beating like a maniac. | Riesco a sentire il cuore di Pogo che batte all’impazzata. |
| You must work very hard. | Devi lavorare molto. |
| We can do it whenever you like. | Possiamo farlo quando vuoi. |
| Sure, the room is empty so you can move in whenever you like. | Certo, la stanza è vuota quindi puoi trasferirti quando vuoi. |
| You know what, I can't see any cutlery in the drawer! | Sai che c’è, non vedo posate nel cassetto! |
| Maybe you can teach me how to make phone calls. | Magari puoi insegnarmi come si fanno le telefonate. |
| Hmm, well, I guess I have to think about it. | Hmm, beh, credo di doverci pensare. |
| I brought one, maybe you should bring one, too. | Io ne ho portata una, magari dovresti portarne una anche tu. |
| I believe with four of us we can afford it easily. | Credo che noi quattro potremmo permettercelo facilmente. |
| I could only find some eggs, some undated bacon and some olives. | Ho trovato solo qualche uovo, un po’ di bacon senza data di scadenza e qualche oliva. |
| Can't you use another rice instead? | Non puoi usare un altro riso al suo posto? |
| I've just been informed that the IT manager can't be here today. | Mi hanno appena informato che l’IT manager non può essere qui oggi. |
| Umm, we can raise it just a little bit, like 50%. | Umm, possiamo alzarlo solo di un pochino, tipo il 50%. |
