Expressing Ability Using
Puwede, Maari, Dapat,  and Kailangan

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Form

Puwede/Hindi Puwede/Maari occur with both an actor-focus and object-focus verbs.  These verbs are in the infinitive form.  Linkers are used between the pronoun and the verb.  When the verb immediately follows puwede and the other modals, the linker -ng is attached to puwede.

example:
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Puwede akong maglaro ng bola sa labas.
Puwede kong laruin ang bola sa labas.
Hindi ako puwedeng maglaro ng bola sa labas.
Hindi ko puwedeng laruin ang bola sa labas.

Kailangan/Dapat

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Use

Puwede/Hindi Puwede is used to describe the ability of somebody to do certain activities.

example:
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Puwede akong tumakbo ng mabilis.
Hindi ako puwedeng tumakbo ng mabilis.
Puwedeng takbuhin ang kalye EDSA.
Hindi puwedeng takbuhin ang kalye EDSA.

Kailangan and dapat are used to caution others on what to do and what not to do in a particular situation.

example:
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Kailangang magpasyal ang bata sa parke.
Kailangan niyang magpasyal sa parke.
Dapat niyang pasyalan ang parke.
Dapat pasyalan ang parke.

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Meaning

example:

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