MIGHT
= podría
- possibility
I think they might win the league
Creo que podrían ganar
la liga.
I think we might have the exam tomorrow
Creo que podríamos
tener el examen mañana
- speculation
there might be a problem with the hard
drive
puede que haya un problema con el disco
duro
MUST = deber
- obligation
you must work harder if you want to pass
debes estudiar más
duro si quieres aprobar
- prohibition ( in the
negative form)
you must not copy during the exam
you must not drink alcohol if you are a
child
- deduction (in the
positive form)
Byron is not in class, he must have
slept.
HAVE TO = tener que…
- obligation
when you are in a hotel, you have to
check out before twelve o’clock
- absence of obligation (in
the negative form)
you do not have to send me the mail, I
know you do the exercises.
No tienes que enviarme el correo
electrónico, sé que haces los ejercicios.
NEED = necesitar
- necesidad
Do you need my help?
¿necesitas mi ayuda?
- ausencia de obligación (en
negativa)
you needn’t wait for me if you are in a
hurry
no necesitas esperarme
si tienes prisa
SHOULD / OUGHT TO = debería
- consejo (advice)
you should speak less
you ought to speak less
- obligación moral (moral obligation)
if you find Xabi’s wallet you should give
it back to him
si encuentras la
cartera de Xabi deberías devolvérsela
- crítica de acciones pasadas (criticism of past actions)
Oihane ought to have offered me her book
because I don’t have it yet
Oihane debería haberme
ofrecido su libro porque todavía no lo tengo
SHALL
- offers (ofrecimientos)
Shall I open the window?
- suggestions (sugerencias)
Where shall we have a coffee?
- making decisions
I shall call your parents tomorrow.
Llamaré a tus padres
mañana.
WOULD (-ía)
- peticiones amables
Would you give me the dictionary, please?
¿me darías el
diccionario, por favor?
- offers
Would you like to come with me to the
cinema?
Te gustaría venir al
cine conmigo?