Modal Verb of Obligation

Modal verbs
of obligation
GRAMMAR
LEVE NUMBER LANGUAGE

L
A2_1057G_EN English
Beginner
Goals
■ Can distinguish
between the use of
'don't have to', 'mustn't'
and 'shouldn't.
■ Can use the modal verbs

of obligation and
prohibition correctly in a
simple sentence.
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I must work on Mondays. I don’t have
to work on Saturdays. I should stay
late if my work isn’t finished.
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must
Doctors must have a university degree.
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have to
Mechanics have to know how to fix cars.
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should
Airlines should employ more women pilots.
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Is it an obligation or advice?
Must and to have to mean an obligation. It is not your choice. We use should to give
advice or an opinion. This is not an obligation.
obligation advice or opinion
My car is broken. I must take a taxi You should take a taxi if you want to
instead. avoid sitting in traffic.
You can’t leave your child at
You should hire my babysitter. My children
home unattended. You have to
think she’s a lot of fun.
hire a babysitter.
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Positive structures
■ Should and must don’t change for different subjects. Have to does change
for different subjects.
■ We follow all three verbs with another base verb without to or –ing.
subject modal verb of obligation another base verb
I, you, we, they have to lose weight.
she, he, it has to lose weight.
I, she, he, it, you, we, they must lose weight.
I, she, he, it, you, we, they should lose weight.
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Must and have to
Must and have to are very similar. However, we use must when we think it is an
obligation and we use have to when someone tells us it is an obligation.
I must finish my homework before I go

Because I will not have fun if I don’t.
out.
I have to finish my homework before I go
Because my mum told me I have to.
out.
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Is it an obligation or advice?
1. He has to work on weekdays.
a. obligation b. advice
2. I must finish my homework.
3. She should work this Saturday because she wants to take a holiday next week.
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Fill in the blanks
1. I have a test tomorrow. I study

so I don’t fail it.
2. I to pass the test to get
into my first choice university.
3. I take a break because
I’m tired and then come back and study
some more later.
4. I have be at the test
at eight o’clock tomorrow morning.
have to
should must
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Must or have to
Choose must or have to to fill in the blanks. Tell your teacher why you chose each
one.
1. I buy Ellie a present today.

I will feel bad if I forget.
2. I finish my assignment for
tomorrow or my teacher will be angry.
3. I wear a uniform to school.
4. I get a hair cut before
the party. I look terrible!
5. I be at work at 9am every
day.
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What must you do? What do you have to do? What should you do?
I must... I should...
I have to... Why?
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Is it allowed or forbidden?
■ Must not means something is forbidden. It is not your choice.

■ Should not is advice or an opinion. It is your choice but it is not recommended.
■ Do not have to means it is not an obligation. It is your choice.
forbidden not recommended allowed
You must not smoke in You should not smoke. It’s You do not have to eat
the office. bad for your health. that if you don’t like it.
I do not have to drive my
I must not drive over the I should not drive into the
car. I can take the bus
speed limit. city during rush hour.
instead.
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Negative structures
■ Should not and must not can be contracted.

■ To have to needs do not or does not in the negative.
■ Do not and does not can be contracted.
negative modal verb of

subject another base verb
obligation
do not have to (don’t
I, you, we, they lose weight.
have to)
does not have to (doesn’t
she, he, it lose weight.
have to)
I, she, he, it, you, we, they must not (mustn’t) lose weight.
I, she, he, it, you, we, they should not (shouldn’t) lose weight.
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Fill in the blanks
1. There is a law that forbids smoking in this restaurant. I smoke in this

restaurant.
a. shouldn’t b. deserve to c. doesn’t have to d. mustn’t
2. There is no law that forbids smoking in this restaurant but I know it bothers
some people when I smoke in a restaurant. I smoke in any restaurant.
a. shouldn’t b. don’t have to c. doesn’t have to d. mustn’t
3. I know people smoke in that restaurant. I don’t like eating in a restaurant where
people smoke. I eat in that restaurant. I can eat in a restaurant
that doesn’t allow smoking.
a. shouldn’t b. don’t have to c. doesn’t have to d. mustn’t
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Is it a choice or not?
It’s a choice. It’s not a choice.

I don’t have to work
You must pay taxes.
on Saturdays.
We should see a He doesn’t have to

film this weekend. play football.
You mustn’t swim He mustn’t steal a

right after you eat. car.
She has to wake

I should get more
up early to get to
exercise.
work on time.
You have to get a

They shouldn’t
job after you
watch so much TV.
graduate.
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Choose the correct option
mustn’t Tony! I just got a new job in your office.

You give me some
advice.
have to
Oh alright. Well, we wear don’t have to
smart clothes – you can wear jeans if
shouldn’t you want. should
Oh, all my jeans are old. I
buy some new ones.
must
shouldn’t
Are you going to the party for work
on Friday? You really come.
Should should
Yes, I am. I bring
something?
Mustn’t
No, don’t bring anything. You don’t have to
be late though – the
shouldn’t boss hates it when people are late. mustn’t
Ok. I know I ever be late
for work things. Thanks, Tony.
must
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Modal Verb of Obligation

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Modal verbs

LEVE NUMBER LANGUAGE

■ Can use the modal verbs

Doctors must have a university degree.

Mechanics have to know how to fix cars.

Airlines should employ more women pilots.

obligation advice or opinion

subject modal verb of obligation another base verb

I, you, we, they have to lose weight.

she, he, it has to lose weight.

I, she, he, it, you, we, they must lose weight.

I, she, he, it, you, we, they should lose weight.

I must finish my homework before I go

1. He has to work on weekdays.

2. I must finish my homework.

1. I have a test tomorrow. I study

1. I buy Ellie a present today.

I have to... Why?

■ Must not means something is forbidden. It is not your choice.

forbidden not recommended allowed

■ Should not and must not can be contracted.

negative modal verb of

1. There is a law that forbids smoking in this restaurant. I smoke in this

a. shouldn’t b. deserve to c. doesn’t have to d. mustn’t

a. shouldn’t b. don’t have to c. doesn’t have to d. mustn’t

a. shouldn’t b. don’t have to c. doesn’t have to d. mustn’t

It’s a choice. It’s not a choice.

We should see a He doesn’t have to

You mustn’t swim He mustn’t steal a

She has to wake

You have to get a

mustn’t Tony! I just got a new job in your office.

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