Position of negation with two verbs (conjugated + infinitive)

To me, either version is OK in English because "can" carries both meanings (to be able to something -- savoir,  and to have the opportunity to do somtehing -- pouvoir).

"I can read" thus can both mean that I have learned to read in school and also that I am in a position to read (as in "I can read the text if you want.")

For the sake of clarity, however, and to be absolutely clear, the translation "We didn't know how to read" would be better.

I completely agree with Chris's comprehensive answer :)

I've now changed the English accordingly.

Bonne journée !

oops, correction.

I should have eaten = J'aurai dû mangé ?

I had not eaten yet -- Je n'avais pas encore mangé
I have to eat -- Je dois manger
I should have eaten -- J'aurais dû manger

Merci beaucoup!  I realized I had a couple stupid errors in my original post (je doit, par exemple eek) & the "pas" in my translation of I should have eaten - oops! 

I understand my error in reposting "Je aurai dû..." should have been "aurais", (because doubt, certainty, wish, etc. requires conditional?) i think that was a typo the 2nd time around.  I guess i had that correct initially (minus the "pas"), and shouldn't have changed the verb form for manger.

I need to read up more on the placement of adverbs such as "encore" around the pas, that is a little confusing to me.  To me, the "encore" sounds better after pas, but that obviously doesn't mean anything.

Oh also to say "right now" in that context is it better to say maintenant or tout de suite?

Thanks so much!  This site is awesome, i'm learning a lot from it.

oh and i had a spelling error.  I used to eat s/b Je mangeais.

thanks again.

Je n'aurais pas dû trop manger. 

You need the conditionel passé because the action is already in the past. 

Hi Bill,

Actually the correct translation of 'I shouldn't have eaten so much' would be :

Je n'aurais pas dû autant manger 

Hope this helps!

Hi Lewis,

The futur proche is constructed by the conjuaged form of "aller" + infinitive:

Je vais célébrer. -- I am going to celebrate.
Ils vont célébrer. -- They are going to celebrate.

-- Chris.

Hi Sue,

What is your question exactely ? Is it about the verbal forms?

The correct way to say it is 'Nous ne devrions plus fumer' (Nous ne devrions plus + inf)
Do we say 'She shouldn't smokes anymore' ? 
Je te laisse réfléchir à tout ça (I let you think!)

Which sentence are you referring to?

-- Chris. 

The imperfect tense is used because it refers to a longer lasting state as kind of a background description.
Another example:

In the first example the description is about a longer lasting state and describes sets the scene for maybe a further statement whatever might have happened then.
In the second example it is about getting hungry and then returning, i.e., two occurences which both describe what HAPPENED (i.e., an action) and not what WAS (i.e., a state of being).

I hope that helps,
-- Chris (not a native speaker).

To complete Chris' excellent answer, here are links to our lessons on how to use L'Imparfait :

https://kwiziq.learnfrenchwithalexa.com/revision/grammar/l-imparfait-usage-describing-and-expressing-opinions-in-the-past-imperfect-tense

https://kwiziq.learnfrenchwithalexa.com/revision/grammar/l-imparfait-usage-expressing-habits-or-repeated-actions-in-the-past-imperfect-tense

Bonne journée !