MODALS 1 : OBLIGATION

A modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb that is used to indicate ‘modality’ – permission, ability

obligation, likelihood, probability.

PRESENT OBLIGATION
We can use one of the following to express obligation in the present.

MODAL MEANING / USE EXAMPLE

have to Strong obligation People have to switch off their mobile phones.

don’t have to No obligation People don’t have to buy the book, if they don’t want to.

must Strong obligation Your doctor must tell you what’s wrong with you.
Obligation not to
mustn’t You mustn’t smoke in the hospital.
do something
should Mild obligation You should save some money for a rainy day.
Mild obligation not
shouldn’t You shouldn’t drink so much wine.
to do something

PAST OBLIGATION
We can use one of the following to express obligation in the past.

MODAL MEANING / USE EXAMPLE

had to Strong obligation People had to leave in a hurry because of the fire.

didn’t have to No obligation You didn’t have to do all the exercises, but it’s OK.
Past action that
should have + didn’t happen and You should have gone to the doctor before. Now it’s too
past participle you express advice late and the illness is at an advanced stage.
or regret
Past action that
shouldn’t
didn’t happen and You shouldn’t have told Maria about her boyfriend. Now
have + past
you express advice she is worried he will break up with her.
participle
or regret

NOW GO TO THE NEXT PAGE AND COMPLETE THE PRACTICE EXERCISE

ESTE DOCUMENTO ES PROPIEDAD INTELECTUAL DE MAXUS SERVICIOS LINGÜISTICOS S.L. CIF B-95719118.
QUEDA PROHIBIDA LA COMERCIALIZACION O USO CON FINES COMERCIALES POR PERSONAS Y COMPAÑIAS AJENAS A MAXUS SERVICIOS
LINGÜISTICOS U AQUELLAS QUE NO HAYAN PEDIDO AUTORIZACION EXPRESA PARA SU USO COMERCIAL.
 PRACTICE EXERCISE: MODALS OF OBLIGATION

A. Complete the following sentences with an appropriate modal verb.

Use ‘have to’, ‘don’t have to’, ‘must/mustn’t’, ‘should/shouldn’t’
Sometimes more than answer is possible.
ST GEORGE’S BOARD SCHOOL RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. You ___________ always wear the school’s uniform.

2. Parents ___________ make sure their children arrive on time.

3. Mobile phones ___________ always be switched off before a class starts.

4. Students ___________ wear shoes. They can bring black or dark trainers if they prefer to.

5. You ___________ shout in the corridors.

B. Complete the following sentences with an appropriate modal verb.

Use ‘had to’, ‘didn’t have to’, ‘[should/shouldn’t] have + past participle’

ST GEORGE’S PRIMARY 5 – MID-TERM REPORT

Although Mikah has shown great skills for the biochemistry lessons we feel that

he _________________________ studied a bit more as the mark he got was a bit low.

We know that his brother _________________________ help him with some of the

tasks and that, although he _________________________ complete all the homework for

this term, he did it terribly well.

We are very proud of his performance but we believe that he __________________

taken so many classes and that less is more, given his personal situation.

YOU CAN PRINT THIS PAGE TO DO THE EXERCISE. THE ANSWERS WILL BE GIVEN TOMORROW.

ESTE DOCUMENTO ES PROPIEDAD INTELECTUAL DE MAXUS SERVICIOS LINGÜISTICOS S.L. CIF B-95719118.
QUEDA PROHIBIDA LA COMERCIALIZACION O USO CON FINES COMERCIALES POR PERSONAS Y COMPAÑIAS AJENAS A MAXUS SERVICIOS
LINGÜISTICOS U AQUELLAS QUE NO HAYAN PEDIDO AUTORIZACION EXPRESA PARA SU USO COMERCIAL.