Português
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 | |
|---|---|
| I don't think so, she could have been her great-grandmother, maybe. | Eu penso que não, ela podia ser a bisavó dela, talvez. |
| I think we can let him explore the garden. | Acho que podemos deixá-lo explorar o jardim. |
| Joseph, I'm taking the room, we can sign the contract! | Joseph, eu fico com o quarto, podemos assinar o contrato! |
| It may help prevent wasting time for both sides. | Pode ajudar ambas as partes a perder tempo. |
| Since I can't smoke in the room, I have to go to the garden. | Já que não posso fumar no quarto, tenho de ir para o jardim. |
| Can't you use another rice instead? | Não pode usar outro arroz? |
| Umm... I'm sorry, but I can't find a booking in that name. | Hum... Lamento, mas não encontro nenhuma reserva com esse nome. |
| I'm just concerned about whether we can afford to rent a house! | Eu estou apenas preocupado com a possibilidade de não conseguirmos alugar uma casa! |
| Possibly, also the new environment might make him feel insecure. | É possível, o ambiente novo também pode fazê-lo sentir-se inseguro. |
| I see, can you get a month long holiday from work? | Percebo, você pode pedir um mês de férias no trabalho? |
| That movie might even be older than me! | Esse filme deve ser ainda mais velho do que eu! |
| I don't like bank holidays, we still have to work tomorrow! | Eu não gosto de feriados bancários, nós temos de trabalhar amanhã na mesma! |
| You shouldn't smoke where we sleep. | Você não deve fumar onde dormimos. |
| Great! Can I have your number, then? | Ótimo! Posso ficar com seu número, então? |
| Or maybe we can just ask them when we see them in the house? | Ou podemos apenas lhes perguntar quando os encontrarmos em casa? |
| Impossible dear, you can smoke in the kitchen or the garden! | Impossível, querido, você pode fumar na cozinha ou no jardim! |
| I can hear well, you don't have to shout at me, dear. | Eu consigo ouvir bem, não precisa de gritar, querido. |
| I thought you might not like strong coffees. | Pensei que você poderia não gostar de cafés fortes. |
| No, you have to bring your own or buy new ones, dear. | Não, você terá de trazer os seus ou comprar novos, querida. |
| Sure, the room is empty so you can move in whenever you like. | Claro, o quarto está vazio, você pode se mudar quando desejar. |
