A. Can - Could - (be) Able to
Function :
Can
We use 'can' to talk about possibility and ability, make requests, ask or give permission
Could
We use 'could' to talk about past possibility ar ability, make request
(be) Able to
We use 'be able to' to talk about ability
Difference : 'can' higher than '(be) able to'
Examples :
Can
I can give you some food
Can I kiss you ?
Could
You could do it if you tried
Could I use your phone ?
(be) Able to
I would like to able to fly an airplane
You will be able to speak perfect english very soon
B. May - Might
Function :
May
We use 'may' to ask for permission, suggests something is possible
Might
We use 'might' to suggest a small possibility of something
Examples :
May
May I borrow your makeup ?
I may not have time to do it today
Might
They might have arrived now
I might see you tomorrow
C. Must - Has/Have to - Had to
Function :
Must
Expresses an obligation forced by the speaker
Has / have to
Expresses general obligation, we use 'have to' when the obligation comes from outside
Had to
When expressing obligation, the past of 'must' and 'have to' is always 'had to'
Difference : 'must' higher than 'Has/Have to'
Examples :
Must
Budi, you must not play in the street !
Students must pass an entrance examination to study at this school
Has / Have to
In indonesia you have to drive on the left
Gempi has to wear a uniform at school
Had to
I had to wash my car yesterday
We had to go to bed 8 o'clock when we were kids
D. Shall - Should - Ought to
Function :
Shall
We use 'shall' to make a sugestion, for obligation in very formal situations ( I and We)
Should
We use 'should' to give an opinion, to make a suggestion, express a preference or an idea
Ought to
We use 'ought' to to express advice, obligation, or duty
Difference : 'shall higher than 'ought to'
Examples :
Shall
I shall be there by 8:00
I shall never forget you
Should
People with high cholesterol should eat low - fat foods
You should return the video before the video rental store close
Ought to
I ought to phone my parents
We ought to do more exercise
E. Will - Would - (be) going to
Function :
Will
We can use 'will' to show desire preference, choice, or consent
Would
We can use 'could' to show preference, to show a wish, and for advice
(be) going to
'(be) going to is commonly used in informal styles, predict something that we think is certain to happen or which we have evidence for now, use to when we give commands or state that somethings is obligatory
Difference : 'will' higher than '(be) going to'
Examples :
Will
You will regret it when you are older
Will you stop here, please !
Would
I said I would help you
He told me he would be here before 8 : 00
(be) going to
She going to be a professional dancer when she grows up
It'a going to snow again soon
