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A2~3 min read

助動詞: can / must / should

実用的な例で語彙を増やそう

'Can' expresses ability or possibility. It is always followed by the base verb with no 'to': 'I can swim' (not 'can to swim').

'Can' never adds -s for he/she/it: 'She can speak' (not 'cans'). The negative is can't (cannot).

例文

  • I can swim very well.

    can + base verb, no 'to'.

  • She can speak three languages.

    No -s: 'can speak', not 'cans'.

  • He can't drive a car yet.

    Negative: can't = cannot.

can swim

/kæn swɪm/

I can swim very well.

can speak

/kæn spiːk/

She can speak three languages.

can't drive

/kɑːnt draɪv/

He can't drive a car yet.

Can you

/kæn juː/

Can you help me with this?

Choose the correct form: She ___ three languages.

Negative of can: He ___ drive a car yet. (cannot, short form)

'Must' expresses strong obligation or a rule: 'You must wear a seatbelt.' Like all modals, it's followed by the base verb.

Be careful: 'mustn't' means it's forbidden (don't do it), which is different from 'don't have to' (it's not necessary).

例文

  • You must wear a seatbelt.

    Strong obligation / rule.

  • You mustn't smoke in here.

    mustn't = it's forbidden.

  • I must finish this report today.

    A strong personal necessity.

must wear

/mʌst weər/

You must wear a seatbelt.

must stop

/mʌst stɒp/

Cars must stop at red lights.

mustn't smoke

/ˈmʌsənt smoʊk/

You mustn't smoke in here.

must finish

/mʌst ˈfɪnɪʃ/

I must finish this report today.

Which means 'it is forbidden'? You ___ smoke in here.

Strong obligation: You ___ wear a seatbelt. (must)

'Should' gives advice or a recommendation — softer than 'must': 'You should sleep more.' It's followed by the base verb.

The negative 'shouldn't' advises against something. For questions, put 'should' first: 'Should I bring anything?'

例文

  • You should see a doctor.

    Advice, not an order.

  • You shouldn't worry about it.

    shouldn't = advice against.

  • Should I bring something to drink?

    Question: should + subject + base verb.

should sleep

/ʃʊd sliːp/

You should sleep more.

should see

/ʃʊd siː/

You should see a doctor.

shouldn't worry

/ˈʃʊdənt ˈwʌri/

You shouldn't worry about it.

Should I

/ʃʊd aɪ/

Should I bring something to drink?

Choose the best advice: You look ill. You ___ see a doctor.

Ask for advice: ___ I bring something to drink?

To ask politely, use Could you, Can I or Would you: 'Could you pass the salt?', 'Can I borrow your pen?'

'Could' and 'would' sound more polite and formal than 'can'. 'Would you mind...' is followed by an -ing form: 'Would you mind closing the window?'

例文

  • Could you pass the salt, please?

    'Could you' — polite request.

  • Can I borrow your pen?

    'Can I' — asking permission.

  • Would you mind closing the window?

    'Would you mind' + -ing form.

Could you

/kʊd juː/

Could you pass the salt, please?

Can I

/kæn aɪ/

Can I borrow your pen?

Would you

/wʊd juː/

Would you mind closing the window?

Choose the most polite request: ___ pass the salt, please?

Ask permission to borrow a pen: ___ I borrow your pen?

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