March 25, 2020

Unit 10: TRAVEL

Modal verbs are helping/auxiliary verbs that express ideas like ability, necessity, and prohibition.
The modal verbs “must,” “have to” and “have got to” show that something is not optional; it is
necessary.

Must is the strongest and most serious modal verb of the three and is most common in writing. It
is unusual to use “must” in questions. It can be a necessary action that was required over and
over again, or something that occurred just once.

The modal verbs of necessity are have to, have got to, and must.
Must not and don't have to mean different things. Must not means that it is important that you
don't do something. Don't have to means that it isn't necessary to do, but you can.

• You mustn't give me flowers because I'm allergic.

• You don't have to give me flowers, but you can if you like.

"Must" is only used in the present or future... NEVER for necessities in the past.
Use “must” to indicate that the obligation comes from the speaker.
“You must stop by the next time you are in town.”

“Have to” shows that the obligation comes from a source other than the speaker and cannot be
changed, as it is some sort of rule, law or other iron-bound contract.
“We have to drive on the right, but others have to drive on the left.”

Modal Verbs Meaning Example

Must I’m obliged to... I must take up
I think it's necessary to do... swimming to keep
I’m must do it, I think it's necessary for me, it's myself fit.
very important for me to do it.
Have to (have got Necessity "from the outside”, others decide there is no bus, so i
to) for me. have to take a taxi.
ought (to) duty, a good thing to do (but it is not always we ought to pay taxes.
done)
need (to) it is necessary his car needs fixing or
I think it's necessary for somebody else or for his car needs to be
something else to be done or being done. fixed.

Fernanda Gpe Ramírez Martínez