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.
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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.
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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.
Example sentences :
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 we can just borrow two slices of bread, then. | たった2枚のパンくらい借りたっていいさ。 |
Yes, but don't touch it, it must be very hot. | あぁ、でも触っちゃダメだよ、すっごく熱いはずだから。 |
Umm, can I do it after I smoke? | う~ん、タバコを吸ってからでもいいかな? |
Umm... I'm sorry, but I can't find a booking in that name. | あの… 申し訳ありませんが、そのお名前でのご予約はないようです。 |
Why do you have to finish everything today? | どうして今日中に全部終わらせないといけないんだい? |
It's not easy, but not impossible, in the end, you can get it. | それは簡単じゃないわ、でも不可能でもないわ。最終的にもらえるわよ。 |
I thought you might not like strong coffees. | あなたは濃いコーヒー好きじゃないと思ったの。 |
Possibly, also the new environment might make him feel insecure. | ひょっとしたらね、あとは新しい環境も彼を不安させてしまうんじゃないかな。 |
We can do it whenever you like. | いつでも君が好きな時に出来るさ。 |
I'm very sorry! I couldn't let you know any earlier. | 本当にごめんなさい。もっと早く知らせることができなかったんです。 |
Can you do me a favour in return? | その代償として僕のお願いを聞いてくれるかい? |
Could it be anywhere else? | どこか別の場所にあるの? |
Sorry... Beary! Come here, my boy, seems we have to wait a while. | すまないな...ベリー!良い子だからこっちにおいで、どうやらしばらく待つ必要があるみたいだ。 |
Another big problem is, I can't take Pogo with me. | 他の大きな問題は、私はポゴを私と一緒に連れて行くことが出来ないのよ。 |
I already couldn't sleep at all last night! | 昨晩は全く眠れなかったのよ! |
I have finished my wine, we can leave any time you want. | 私はワインを飲み終えたわ、あなたが出たい時にいつでも行けるわ。 |
Sure, the room is empty so you can move in whenever you like. | もちろん。部屋は空いてるから好きな時に転居できるよ。 |
Since I can't smoke in the room, I have to go to the garden. | 部屋では吸えないし、庭に行かないと。 |
The burglar might like it. | 盗んだ人は嬉しいかも。 |
We could use theirs for once. | 一度くらい彼らのものだって使えるさ。 |