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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We could use theirs for once. | 一度くらい彼らのものだって使えるさ。 |
Okay, but can we talk about when to meet first? | 分かったよ。でもまずはいつ落ち合うか決めないかい? |
I think we can let him explore the garden. | ポゴに庭を探検させてあげてもいいと思うわ。 |
It doesn't matter for me, you can get the one you like best. | 僕はなんでもいいよ、君が一番好きなものを取ればいいさ。 |
Too bad, they must have understood you are a liar, then. | それはまずい。これじゃあ君が嘘つきだってばれちゃってただろうね。 |
I'm not homophobic, but still you should've told me that before. | 同性愛嫌悪じゃないけど、少なくとも僕には先に伝えておくべきだろ。 |
The train leaves in a few minutes, we should get on soon. | 電車はあと数分で発車するよ、僕たちすぐに乗ったほうがいい。 |
Hello guys, I can hear you shouting from upstairs. | やあ、みんな。上の階からでも君たちの言い合う声が聞こえるよ。 |
I'm so excited, we should definitely do it as soon as possible. | ワクワクするわ、出来る限り早く私たち絶対にやったほうがいいわね。 |
Umm, I guess it must be in zone-2... | う~ん、たしか第二区のはずよ… |
Really? The walls are in very bad condition, they have to be re-painted... | ほんと? 壁の状態ものすごく悪いよ。ペンキを塗り直すべきだろ… |
I guess we should go and check another store. | 多分他のお店をチェックしに行った方が良いかもね。 |
Okay, can you tell me what it is, then? | そうか、じゃあそれが何か言ってくれよ。 |
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。 |
Why can French restaurants serve bugs, but Chinese ones can't? | フレンチ・レストランで虫が出されるのに、中華レストランでは出されないと思うかい? |
Oh yes, I can see it now. | あら本当だわ、今分かりました。 |
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。 |
I don't think electric stoves can make the pan burn! | 電気コンロでフライパンが燃えるとは思えないけどな! |
Can you separate your clothes, then? | それじゃあお洋服を分けてくれる? |
Um, I'm going to finish at 5, we can meet at 17:30 if you like. | そうね。5 時に終わるから、17:30 でどうかしら。 |