MODALS OF OBLIGATIONMODAL VERBS
What are MODAL VERBS?
MUST & HAVE TO
• I must finish my homework before 8
• We have to wear a uniform
They are both used to express
that something is necessary
MUST
• I must find a hotel to stay at tonight
• The speaker decides that something is necessary (INTERNAL decision)
HAVE TO
• I have to wear a uniform
• Somebody else has made the decision, it’s not the speaker’s opinion (EXTERNAL decision)
OTHER TENSES
• MUST: past & future with HAVE TO
• When I was young, we had to wear a uniform at school
• Next year you will have to study harder
MUSTN’T & DON’T HAVE TO
• Very different meanings in negative:
• You mustn’t use a dictionary
• You don’t have to use a dictionary
MUSTN’T
• You mustn’t use a dictionary.
• (It’s forbidden /prohibited)
• =can’t
DON’T HAVE TO
• You don’t have to use a dictionary. This exercise is really easy
• (It’s not necessary)
SHOULD / SHOULDN’T
• I think you should see the doctor
• I think you shouldn’t watch so much TV
• We use SHOULD/ SHOULDN’T
to give some advice
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