Pirchy Dayan

present ability  Usage: present ability  I can speak French.  I cannot speak French.  Can you speak French? permission  Usage: permission  You can use my car tomorrow.  Can I use your car tomorrow?  You cannot use my car tomorrow.

possibility  Usage: possibility  Anyone can make mistakes. negative reasoning  Usage: negative reasoning  She can’t be sick. I saw her a hour ago.

past ability  Usage: past ability  I could speak French when I was a child.  I couldn’t speak French when I was a child.  Could you speak French when you were a child? polite request  Usage: polite request  Could you please take a message?

ability in the past, present & future  Usage: ability in the past, present & future  I’m able to speak French  I’m not able to speak French.  Are you able to speak French.  He will be able to finish the job tomorrow.  He won’t be able to finish the job tomorrow  Will he be able to finish the job tomorrow?  They were able to run fast when they were young.  They weren’t able to run fast when they were young.  Were they able to run fast when they were young?

permission  Usage: permission  You may enter the room.  You may not leave the class.  May I go out, please? possibility  Usage: possibility  It may rain tonight.

possibility  Usage: possibility  John might be in the library.  John might not be in the library.  Might john be in the library?

giving advice or opinion  Usage: giving advice or opinion  You should see a doctor. You look sick.  You shouldn’t go there. It’s dangerous.  should I see a doctor? I don’t feel well.

giving advice or opinion  Usage: giving advice or opinion – formal  You ought to study for the test.  You ought not to go to the movie.

present and future obligation  Usage: present and future obligation ( חובה )  I must study for the test.  Must you study for the test?  Usage: certainty  Mary must be sick. She isn’t at school.  Note: the negative of must is don’t have to.

prohibition  Usage: prohibition ( איסור )  You mustn’t talk during the test.  You mustn't drive through red light.

obligation – past, present and future  Usage: obligation – past, present and future  I have to study for the test.  I don’t have to study for the test.  Do you have to study for the test?  He had to finish the work yesterday.  He didn’t have to finish the work yesterday.  Did he have to finish the work yesterday?  They will have to complete the material.  They won’t have to complete the material.  Will they have to complete the material?

strong advice  Usage: strong advice  You had better be on time, or we will leave without you.  You had better not be late, or we will leave without you.

preference  Usage: preference (( עדיפות  I would rather go to the park than stay at home.  I’d rather not stay at home.  Would your rather wait here?

necessity  Usage: necessity ( צורך )  I need to finish the work on time  I don’t need to finish the work on time.  Do you need to finish the work on time?