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CAN and MUST

CAN

CAN has only got a present (can) and past tense (could)

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So what do you use when the sentence is in the perfect or future tense?

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That depends on the meaning of CAN in the sentence.

 

CAN:      ability   or permission???

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I can fix your computer = ability (skills)

I was able to fix your computer yesterday/ I could fix your computer yesterday.

I have been able to fix the computer.

I will be able to fix your computer tomorrow.

I can come to your party = permission

I was allowed to come to your party last weekend/I could come to your party last .weekend

I have been allowed to come to your party.

I will be able to come to your party next week.

MUST

MUST has only got present tense. In other tenses HAVE TO is used.

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I had to go to the dentist yesterday.

I have had to go to the dentist a lot lately.

I will have to  go to the dentist tomorrow. (appointment)

 

When things are a little less necessary than MUST, you use NEED TO.

I think I need to call him one of these days.

Pieter Groen

    Year 3

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