Nature/sens |
Exemples |
Contraire /négation |
Capacité/possibilité/
permission/demande
Can
Could
be able to |
. Capacité : I can drive = je sais conduire ;
. Possibilité : I can come = je peux venir (rien ne me l'interdit)
. Permission/demande: Could I open the door?
. Ce que l'on pourrait faire : If I had a car, I could drive.
Si j'avais une voiture, je pourrais conduire.
. Capacité : Lilou has been able to change her wheel.
. Interdiction : You can't push your opponents.
|
can’t/cannot
could not
cannot,be unable to |
Forte probabilité /
Nécessité/obligation
d'origine interne
Must |
. Forte probabilité :
. Look at his uniform. He must be a postman.
. He must have taken the wrong way.
. Obligation (origine interne) : Dad to children : "You
must come to home on time." (obligation d'origine
interne : la personne qui parle décide des règles.) |
cannot (si nécessité ou forte obligation)
must not (si
obligation d'origine interne) |
Obligation : origine
externe
Have to |
. Obligation d'origine externe : les lois de l'état, autorité extérieure, prof...
. I have to go to school.
. I have to pay my taxes before the end of June.
. Absence d'obligation :
. He doesn't have to do that exercise; it's optional.
. You needn't come tonight if you don't want to |
must not (interdiction)
don't have to /
needn't (absence d'obligation) |
Possibilité / peut être
/ permission
May |
. Possibilité / peut être : It may rain ; He may come tonight.
. Permission : May I speak to Mrs Salomé, please? No, you
can't, she's not in. |
can’t/cannot |
Possibilité faible
/ permission
Might |
. Possibilité faible : I might come to see you if I can get off
homework on time.
. Permission : Might I borrow your pencil? |
can’t/cannot
may not (permission) |
Conseil / obligation
morale
Should ou Ought to |
. Conseil /recommendation :
. This information should be relevant and adequate.
. That jacket's dirty, you ought to get it cleaned.
. Obligation morale :
. You should stop drinking so much whisky ! |
ought not to
should not |
Expression du
conditionnel présent
Would |
. Conditionnel / hypothétique :
. It would be cool to meet this person. (Ce serait ...)
. I would like white wine with the fish. (J'aimerais...) |
Wouldn't |
Expression du
futur principalement
Will |
. Futur / Prédiction :
. We'll be back before dinner. (Nous serons de retour...)
. I will be there for you. Je serai là pour toi. |
Won't |
Suggestions
Shall |
. N'est pratiquement plus utilisé, sauf à la forme interrogative :
. Shall we take the plane? On prend l'avion ? |
|