must/might/could/can't
1. must
(1)must 表示主观看法,意为“必须”。You must stay here until I come back.
Must I hand in my homework right now?
对must引导的疑问句,肯定回答为must,否定回答为needn’t 或don’t have to .
—Must I finish my homework?
—Yes, you must.
—No, you needn’t.
(2)must也可以表示有把握的推测,意为“ 一定,肯定”,用于肯定句。
The light is on, so he must be at home now.
其否定形式mustn’t表示“禁止,不许”。
You mustn’t play with fire.
You mustn’t be late.
2. could
(1)can的过去式,意为“能、会”,表示过去的能力。
He could write poems when he was 10.
(2)could在疑问句中,表示委婉请求的语气,此时could没有过去式的意思。
Could you do me a favour?
—Could I use your pen?
—Yes, you can.(注意回答)
3. might
might为may的过去式。might表示推测时,表示可能性低于may(此时might没有过去式的意思),当请求讲时,比may的语气更委婉。
He is away from school.
He might be sick.Might I use your dictionary?
4. can
(1)表示能力,一般译为“能、会”,尤其指生来具备的能力。
She can swim fast, but I can’t .
(2)表示许可,常在口语中。
You can use my dictionary.
(3)表示推测,意为“可能”,常用于否定句和疑问句中,此时can’t译为“不可能”。
—Can the news be true?
—No, it can’t be our teacher. He is on a visit to the Great Wall.