Modal Verbs of Obligation

The verbs must, have to, should, ought to, need, be to are modal verbs of obligation.
They express meanings such as obligation, necessity, lack of necessity, certainty, offers,
requests, logical assumption, prohibition, advice or criticism.
Modal verbs:
 Do not take an – s, - ing, or – ed suffix.
 Are followed by a bare infinitive (except for ought to, have to, be to).
 Go before the subject in questions and are followed by not in negations.
 Do not usually have tenses (except for should/shouldn’t, ought to/ ought not to,
needn’t)

MUST (past and future have to, be to)

We use must
1. To say that it is necessary to do smth. The speaker is giving his own feelings, saying what
he thinks is necessary:
e.g. You don’t see anything. It can be dangerous. You must wear glasses. (The speaker
personally feels that it is necessary)
2. For giving strong advice to ourselves:
e.g. I must try to go to bed early tonight. (It is the person’s inner feeling that it is necessary to
do)
3. For making strong recommendations, offers and invitations to others, based on our own
opinions:
e.g. You must visit London, it’s a gorgeous city!
You must behave yourself at school.
4. For stating rules, obligation, smb’s duty (especially in formal and written English):
e.g. Cyclists must wear helmets.
You must stop when the traffic light is red.
5. In questions to clear up whether the person insists on the speaker’s doing smth. Has a
negative connotation.
e.g. Mom, must I do my homework now? (The boy wants to know whether the mother insists
on his doing his homework right now. He isn’t very happy about it) – Мне что, делать
уроки сейчас?
6. In negation to express prohibition we use mustn’t which means that it is necessary that
smb. do not do smth.
e.g. You mustn’t tell anyone what I said. (It is necessary that you don’t tell anybody else)
You mustn’t feed the animals in the Zoo. (it is forbidden)

HAVE TO (requires do /does/ did to make questions and negations)

We use have to
1. To say that it is necessary to do smth. But the speaker isn’t giving his own feelings. He is
just giving facts:
e.g. Ann’s eyes are not very good. She has to wear glasses.
2. For obligation (NB! We use I have to … for things that are obliged to; we use I must …
for things that we strongly feel we should do.):
Cf. I must start cycling to work. It would be good experience.
I have to start cycling to work. They’ve cancelled the only bus.
3. In negation don’t /doesn’t have to means that it is not necessary to do smth.:
e.g. You don’t have to do it if you don’t like it. (but you may)
Syn. Needn’t do
e.g. You’ve got plenty of time. You needn’t (don’t have to) hurry.
4. In questions to ask smb. if it is necessary for you to do smth.:
 e.g. Mom, do I have to do my homework now? (Is it necessary to do your homework now or
can you do it some other time?)

SHOULD /OUGHT TO (Past – should /ought to have done - reproach)

1. For giving advice:
e.g. We should/ ought to invite Sue to the party. (Нам стоит пригласить…)
2. For asking for or giving an opinion about smth. It is often used in sentences beginning
with I think…
e.g. I don’t think you should/ ought to work so hard. (Я думаю, тебе не стоит так много
работать)
Do you think I should/ ought to apply for this job? (Ты думаешь, мне надо…?)
3. To say smth. is not ‘right’ or not what we expect:
e.g. The price here is wrong. It says 65 pence but it should be 50.
Those children shouldn’t be playing. They should be at school.
4. For expressing duty (less emphatic than must)
e.g. People should /ought to take better care of the environment. (We think it’s the right
thing to do)
5. In the past should have done / ought to have done for criticising or reproaching smb., for
saying that smb. did the wrong thing in the past:
e.g. – Hello, Ann. The party last night was great. And we all waited for you to come but you
never did. You should have come.
They shouldn’t have listened to our conversation. It’s private. (Не следовало ….)

Cf: didn't have to do smth – не было необходимости и человек не делал;

needn’t have done smth – можно было и не делать, но человек сделал;
shouldn't have done smth – не стоило делать чего-то, но человек сделал и есть
отрицательные последствия этого действия
e.g. She didn’t have to get up early yesterday as it was Sunday, so he stayed in bed till 10.
She needn’t have got up early yesterday as it was Sunday but she forgot and at 7 her alarm
clock went.
You shouldn’t have told her about it yesterday as she was worrying the whole night.

TO BE TO (to express the action in past and in future)

1. For preliminary arrangements or duty:
e.g. We are to meet at 6.
Who is to arrange the meeting?
2. For giving orders (more categorical than must):
e.g. You are not to leave the house today. = Не смей выходить сегодня из дома!
The chief says I am to be in charge of the programme.
3. For expressing smth. inevitable:
e.g. He didn’t know at that time that he was never to see his son again.
4. For expressing a possibility due to circumstances:
e.g. Where is he to be found?

Drills

Exercise I. Read aloud and translate into Russian.

1. What am I to do next? 2. You are to be at the office at 9 o’clock. 3. We had to walk 4
miles before we could see the village. 4. Where am I to put this box? 5. Do you often have to go
to the dentist? 6. She didn’t have to repeat her words. 7. The meeting was to begin at 6, and I had
to take a taxi. 8. We had to leave early. 9. We were to act as guides. 10. He doesn’t have to come
again. He may phone us. 11. The children are not to go out tonight. 12. I’m to inform you that
the meeting is going to begin at four. 13. We didn’t have to explain to him what he was to do. He
knew everything. 14. I can’t go. I have to type a long article. 15. They were to return on Monday,
and they did. 16. Did you have to leave, because you felt bad?

Exercise II. Answer the questions.

1. On what days do you have to get up early? 2. What do you usually have to do at home
in the morning? 3. Where are you to go today after classes? 4. What were you to search in the
Internet when you last surfed it? 5. What are you to do for your next English lesson? 6. When do
people have to use dictionaries? 7. Why must we observe traffic rules? 8. Why shouldn’t you be
late for classes? 9. What should you do to make your studies easier? 10. Why shouldn’t you have
missed classes?

Exercise III. Complete these sentences:

A. with «must» or «have to» (in its correct form). Sometimes it is possible to use
either; sometimes only one variant is possible.
Examples: Well, it's 10 o'clock. I must (or have to) go now.
Ann was feeling ill last night. She had to leave the party early.

1. You really ………….. work harder if you want to pass that examination.
2. Many children in Britain ………… wear uniform when they go to school.
3. Last night Don suddenly became ill. We …………. call the doctor.
4. Ann has ……….. wear glasses since she was eight years old.
5. I’m afraid I can’t come tomorrow. I …………. work late.
6. I’m sorry I couldn’t come yesterday. I …………… work late.
7. Tom may …………… go away next week.
8. We couldn’t repair the car ourselves. We …..……… take it to a garage.
9. When you come to London, you …………… come and see us.

B. with “mustn’t” or “don’t/doesn’t have to”.

Example: I don’t want anyone to know. You mustn’t tell anyone what I said.
I don’t have to wear a suit to work but I usually do.

1. I can stay in bed tomorrow morning because I …………. work.

2. Whatever you do, you ………….. touch that switch. It’s very dangerous.
3. You ………….. forget what I told you. it’s very important.
4. She ………….. get up so early. She gets up early because she prefers to.
5. We ………….. leave yet. We’ve got plenty of time.
6. A: You …………. Play football inside the house.
B: I’m sorry. I’ll go outside.
7. A: Do you want anything from the supermarket?
B: No, you ...........get me anything today, thank you. I’m going out myself later.

C. with “must”, “mustn’t” or “ needn’t”.

Example: We haven’t got much time. We must hurry.
We've got plenty of time. We needn’t hurry.
1. “Do you want me to wait for you?” “No, it’s okay. You …………. wait.”
2. Tom gave me a letter to post. I …………… forget to post it.
3. You …………. come if you don’t want to but I hope you will.
4. “What sort of house do you want to buy? Something big?” “Well, it ………… be big – that’s
not important. But it …………. have a nice garden – that’s essential.”
5. We have enough food at home so we …………. go shopping today.
6. This book is very valuable. You ………… look after it carefully and you ………… lose it.
 D. with “should” or “shouldn’t”.
Example: Your friend is always coughing because he smokes too much. Advise him to stop
smoking. You should stop smoking.

1. Your friend has a bad toothache. Advise him to go to the dentist. ……………………..
2. Your friend rides his bicycle at night without lights. You think this is dangerous. Advise him
not to do it. …………………………..
3. Your friend is going to visit Greece. Advise him to learn a few words of Greek before he
goes. ……………………………….

E. with I think / I don’t think …

Example: Tom has just been offered a job. You think it would be a good idea for him to accept it.
I think Tom should accept the job.

1. You think it would be a good idea for all motorists to wear seat-belts.
I think ………………………………………. .
2. You don’t think it would be a good idea for Jill and Sam to get married.
I ……………………………………………. .
3. Your friend has a bad cold. Tell him that you think it would be a good idea for him to stay at
home this evening.
………………………………………………. .

F. with “should (have)” and “shouldn’t (have)”. Sometimes you have to use the
present, sometimes the past.
Example: The speed limit is 30 miles an hour but Tom is driving at 50.
He shouldn’t be driving so fast.
When we got to the restaurant there were no free tables. We hadn’t reserved one.
We should have reserved one.

1. It’s very cold. Mr. Taylor, who has been ill recently, is walking along the road without a
coat. He ………………………………… .
2. We went for a walk. While we were walking, we got hungry but we hadn’t brought anything
with us to eat. We said: We ………………………………. .
3. I went to Paris. Marcel lives in Paris but I didn’t go to see him while I was there. When I saw
him later, he said: You …………………………….. .
4. The notice says that the shop is open every day from 8.30. It is now 9 o’clock but the shop
isn’t open. ………………………………… .
5. The driver in front stopped suddenly without warning and I drove into the back of his car. It
wasn’t my fault. ………………………… .
6. The children normally go to bed at 9 o’clock. It is now 9.30. They are not in bed; they are
watching television. (two sentences)
………………………………………………… .
………………………………………………… .
7. The accident happened because Tom was driving on the wrong side of the road.
……………………………………………… .

Exercise IV. Supply “needn’t have” or “didn’t have to” in the correct form of the verbs in
brackets.
1. I … (to phone) the mechanic. I learnt later that Michael had already phoned him. 2. I
… (to phone) the mechanic. I knew that Michael had already phoned him. 3. Kate … (to make )
lunch when we came home, because her husband had already done it. 4. I … (to wake) her up,
because she was awake before me. 5. You … (to bring) your umbrella after all. It hasn’t rained.
6. Mother … (to cook) a meal last night as we were going out. 7. I … (to cook) a meal last night
because we went out. 8. You … (to pay) the man. He didn’t deserve it. 9. She … (to pay) the
man, so she didn’t give him any money. 10. Claire … (to bring) the tape. We didn’t plan to listen
to it. 11. Ann … (to buy) any eggs as on coming home she found that she had plenty of eggs.

Exercise V. Complete the sentences with “must”, “have to”, “to be to”.
1. My mother is ill and I … (to call) the doctor in. 2. The teacher told the pupils that they
… (to work) harder. 3. I … (to work) much now because I have got behind the group. 4. Roy …
(to keep) in the public eye and strive to satisfy the public taste to make his book sell. 5. He …
(expect) little or nothing of his fellow man. 6. The character, as the preface states, … (to be) a
composite portrait in which Maugham puts a great deal of himself. 7. The authors he wrote to …
(to accept) his invitation to dinner. 8. Then the day came when I … (to go back) to school. 9.
When I asked why he was late, he told me that he had missed the train and … (to wait) for
another one. 10. Roy … (to ask) his old friends to dinner, as he has no courage to drop them.

Exercise VI. Rewrite the sentences using the word in bold.

1. It isn’t necessary for Mark to buy new clothes for the reception.
need
2. You aren’t allowed to pick these flowers.
must
3. Sarah is obliged to type her composition at university.
has
4. It wasn’t necessary for Paula to make the beds.
need
5. It is your duty to obey the law.
must
6. It wasn’t necessary for Bob to wait for me, but he did.
need
7. It is forbidden to throw litter on the beach.
must
8. I’m sure Ronald is at home.
must
9. It wasn’t necessary for George to stay at work late last night, but he did.
have

Exercise VII. Rephrase the following sentences using didn’t have to do or needn’t have done
1. It wasn’t necessary for him to wash the car. It wasn’t dirty.
2. It wasn’t necessary for her to buy so many oranges, but she did.
3. It wasn’t necessary for us to take an umbrella. It wasn’t raining.
4. It wasn’t necessary for us to turn on the light. It wasn’t dark.
5. It wasn’t necessary for him to call me today, but he did.
6. It wasn’t necessary for you to make sandwiches for me, but you did.
7. It wasn’t necessary for them to make reservations at the restaurant, but they did.

Exercise VIII. Rephrase the following sentences using must, mustn’t, needn’t, has to, doesn’t
have to
1. You aren’t allowed to park your car in the college car park.
2. I strongly advise you to speak to your parents about your decision.
3. It isn’t necessary for Emma to attend tomorrow’s staff meeting.
4. Jack is obliged to wear a suit and a tie at work because the manager says so.
5. I’m sure Antonio is from Milan.
6. It’s necessary for Roger to find a job soon.
7. It’s forbidden to use mobile phones inside the hospital.
8. Susan is obliged to work overtime because her boss says no.

Exercise IX. Rephrase the following sentences in as many ways as possible.

1. You had better book your flight early.
2. Would you like me to draw the curtains for you?
3. Why don’t we go to a Japanese restaurant for a change?
4. I strongly advise you to see a doctor as soon as possible.
5. Why didn’t you check the battery before you left?
6. Everybody is obliged to pay taxes.
7. There is no need to go to the supermarket today.
8. It wasn’t necessary for Betty to call a taxi because I gave her a lift.
9. You aren’t allowed to keep pets in the building.
10. I advise you to buy this book.
11. It isn’t necessary for him to take the exam again.
12. You aren’t allowed to eat and drink in the classrooms.
13. We are obliged to clock in and out every day.
14. It wasn’t necessary for John to attend the seminar.
15. They are obliged to go to a meeting every week.

Exercise X. Complete the table inserting the necessary modal verb(s) according to its/ their
function and meaning.

Modal Verb Function Meaning

You …... (sign) the contract
I …….. (sign) the contract.
I ….…. (sign) the contract.
He ……. (get) a taxi. I’ll give
him a lift.
He ……(get) a taxi because I
gave him a lift.
He ………..(get) a taxi.
You ……. (revise) for the test.
You ……..(revise) for the test.
You …….(lie) in the court.
You………..(tell) her the
truth.
He ………..(be) in now.
Obligation/ duty/ necessity You’re obliged to/ You have
to/ you need to/ It is necessary
Obligation/ duty/ necessity I have decided
Obligation/ duty/ necessity Someone else has decided
Lack of necessity It isn’t necessary.
Lack of necessity It wasn’t necessary for him to
get a taxi.
Lack of necessity It wasn’t necessary for him to
get a taxi, but he did.
Advice I advise you to/ you’d better.
Advice I strongly advise you to.
Prohibition It’s forbidden/ You aren’t
allowed to/ It’s against the
rules
Criticism It would have been better if he
had told her the truth
Probability He is probably in.

Exercise XI. Choose the correct answer.

1. ‘You … … be late for work.’
‘I know. I’m leaving now.’
A. needn’t B. must C. mustn’t
2. ‘Jim ….. lose some weight. His doctor said so.’
‘Then he must go on a diet.’
A. mustn’t B. hasn’t to C. has to
3. ‘I ……. go to the bank today. I have enough money.’
‘Well, I’ll go alone, then.’
A. needn’t B. have to C. must
4. ‘I …… clean the house today. It’s dirty.’
‘I’ll help you.’
A. needn’t B. must C. mustn’t
5. ‘I ….. feed the dog at lunchtime. My brother did it in the morning.’
‘you can do it this evening, then.’
A. didn’t have to B. needn’t have C. need
6. ‘Can I talk to you, please?’
‘Sorry, I …..go now. I’m late for a meeting.’
A. mustn’t B. has to C. must
7. ‘Did you phone Alan yesterday?’
‘No, I …….. . He came around to see me.’
A. Didn’t need to B. wasn’t to C. needn’t

Exercise XII. Cross out the unnecessary word

1. They shouldn’t to have called the police.
2. Paul didn’t to have to change the flat tyre by himself, John helped him.
3. She needn’t to have bought such an expensive dress.
4. The Prime Minister is to will give a speech at the conference tomorrow.
5. Jennifer will have to look for the another job.
6. We ought to drive to in the coast.
7. Jack has had to see the General Manager yesterday.
8. The shouldn’t have to forgotten about our meeting yesterday.

Exercise XIII. Translate into English.

1. У нас занятия утром и мне приходится вставать рано. 2. В этом году занятия
должны начинаться в 9 часов. 3. Это Мэри. Ей предстоит жить здесь до лета. 4. Кто
должен был вас встретить? Вы знали это? 5. Поезд должен был прийти в 6 утра и нам
пришлось идти на станцию пешком. 6. Вам часто приходится обращаться к врачу? 7. Я не
должен был объяснять ей правило. Она хорошо его знала. 8. Мы все обсудили. Я должен
был встретить его около библиотеки. 9. Утром у нас был хлеб и мне не нужно было идти в
магазин. 10. Где мы должны сидеть? – Здесь, пожалуйста. 11. Почему вы здесь? Вы
должны быть на паре. 12. Почему я должен делать это сегодня, если я могу это сделать
завтра? 13.Он должен был прийти к нам в 3 часа, но ему пришлось поехать в университет.
14. У меня не было этой газеты, и я должен был пойти в библиотеку. 15. Насколько я
знаю, Майкл должен приехать в среду. 16. Мне не пришлось учить текст наизусть. 17. Он
должен был приехать в воскресенье, и мне пришлось остаться в городе. 18. Деревня была
далеко от станции, и нам пришлось взять такси. 19. Они должны были вернуться в 6 утра,
и нам пришлось встать очень рано. 20. Что с вами было? – Я простудилась. – А как вы
себя чувствуете сейчас? – Спасибо, хорошо. Но должна оставаться дома еще 3 дня, так
сказал врач. 21. Вы не должны бояться делать ошибки, если вы хотите хорошо говорить
по-английски. 22. К сожалению, мы вынуждены остаться в городе этим летом. 23. Тебе не
следует начинать новую книгу, если ты не закончил читать эту. 24. Я думаю, вам следует
послать ей цветы. Она их очень любит. 25. Он должен ответить на это письмо сегодня или
он может сделать это завтра? 26. Уроки закончились, но нам нужно было остаться в
школе, мы не могли идти домой. 27. Ваш отец должен лечь в больницу. Он очень больной
человек. 28. Я не мог дать вам эту книгу, потому что я должен был отдать ее Нине. 29. Вы
не должны здесь курить, это школа. 30. Вы должны были прийти в институт вчера? 31. Я
не знаю, почему они уехали так рано. Им не нужно было уезжать так рано. 32. Вам не
надо завтра идти в контору. Она будет закрыта. 33. Мне не надо было готовить так много
еды для вечеринки. Никто не был голоден. 34. Мы не должны терять ни минуты, если
хотим поймать преступника.

Bert is starting a new job

A.
Welcome to Smith & Jones, Bert. Do you have any questions?
B.
Yes, what time do I have to start work?
A.
You have to start work at 8.30.
B.
What do I have to do?
A.
You have to type letters, make tea and answer the telephone.
B.
Do I have to wear a uniform?
A.
No, you don't have to wear a uniform, but you must wear a tie.
B.
Can I smoke?
A.
No, you mustn't smoke in the building. You'll have to go outside if you want to smoke.
B.
Do I have to work overtime?
A.
Yes, you have to work overtime every other Saturday
Practice
A visitor to your country is asking about its rules. Make a conversation and practice with friends.

Exercise XIV. Write a story how you were to meet at a place, how you had to get to this place.
And your mates will ask you questions to get additional information.

Example: St 1: I had to get to the cinema by bus.

St 2: Did you have to wait for the bus long?
St 1: We were to meet at 6 and I was at place 5 minutes earlier.
St 3: Did you have to be in a hurry to come in time?

Exercise XV. Make up a dialogue discussing what you are happy and unhappy about the city.
Use the prompts saying what our authority shouldn’t have done and they should do/ should
have done
Shouldn’t have … Should have…
Exercise XVI. Make up a situation using the Modal Verbs.

Writing.
Write a report on the problem of your city, what they had to do, what they shouldn’t have done,
what they are to do, what they must do, etc.