would, could, should...

Question

There are a some related phrases that I typed into the translator here. The following is the response it provided:

I would go to dinner: Iría a cenar.

I could go to dinner: Podría ir a cenar.

I should go to dinner: Debo ir a cenar.

I may go to dinner" Puedo ir a cenar.

I have to go to dinner: Tengo que ir a cenar.

I've learned not to trust the Translator completely, so my question is: are these accurate? Are these the phrases a native speaker would use?

Gracias por tu ayuda.

DR - good question - I find the "woulds", the "coulds", the "shoulds" very tricky :o - nonombre, Jun 5, 2010

Answer 1

One of the "marvels" of the English language. MODALS!

Including "used to" we have 11 of them.

That means we can modify all verbs by putting one of 11 Modal in front of the "base verb"

At times the "exact" translations do not convey the "exact" meaning.

Examples: with can / could

I can do it today / I can do it now.

I could do it now.

I could do it yesterday.

I could do it today.

I could do it tomorrow.

English speakers immediatey realise the subtle differences but my request is that a fluent Spanish speaker put the above into the corresponding Spanish.

Please !!

Answer 2

Everything looks good to me

Answer 3

Yes, they are fine.