MODAL VERBS: SHOULD, MUST AND HAVE TO

We use have to / must / should + infinitive verb to talk about:

 Obligation
 Things that are necessary to do
 To give advice about things that are a good idea to do.
Look at this video to identify the proper use of the modal verbs: have to, must and should.
https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar-vocabulary/grammar-videos/have-must-and-should-obligation-and-advice

Obligation / Necessity

Must and Have to have the similar meaning.

 Have to is more common for general, external obbligations (like rules
and laws)
I have to to wear safety glasses and gloves at work. ( It´s a rule).
You have to respect traffic laws . ( It´s a law).

 Must is more common for specific ( on one ocassion) or personal

obbligations
I must to wear glasses to see ok.

You can use Must and Have to for strong recommendations

 You must to see this film. It´s fantastic. Or You have to see
that film. It´s fantastic.
 You must visit Washington when you´re in the USA. Or You have to visit
Washington when you´re in the USA.
 No Obligation – No Necessary Don´t have to (I /You /We /They) / Doesn´t have to ( He / She /It)
You don´t have to go to study, the class was canceled
Maria doesn´t have to work, today is her free day.

Prohibition Mustn´t Advice Should / Shouldn´t

You mustn´t do it. You should take your medicine.
She mustn´t go there. Matthew shouln´t eat more.
You mustn´t smoke in this area. You should pay attention to me.

Let´s to practice…

 If you want to work in the USA you have to speak good English. have to / Don´t have to
 You should not give someone a clock as a present. should / shouldn´t
 You must remember feed the dog. must / mustn´t
 You are ill. You should not go to school today. should / shouldn´t
 You must not said anything stupid if you want to keep your job. must / mustn´t
 Tomorrow is Sunday! So I do not have to go to study. have to / Don´t have to
 You have to work hard to obtain your goals. have to / Don´t have to
 If you see your ex-girlfriend or boyfriend, you should be polite. should / shouldn´t
 You must not forget our dinner with the neighbors! must / mustn´t
 Please, tell him that he has get good results at school! has / doesn´t have

EXERCISE ONE
Complete each sentence with the correct Modal Verb: Have to / Must / Should

1. Yesterday I must finish my math 6. Your son Must try on a few different
project. Must sizes Have to
Mustn´t Had
Had to Must
2. He has to wait in line like anyone 7. The policeman have to get here as soon as
else. Must he can
Have Must
to Must
Has n´t
to Have
to
 3. All apprentices must on time to 8. Do they have to work next
study. Must be weekend? Have to
Mustn´t Must to
Have to Mustn´t
4. They must forget to take the turkey out 9. Bicyclists have to remember to signal
of the freezer when they return
Have to not Must
Must Must
Must n´t
n´t Have
to
5. If you are under 14 you have to get 10. Valerie, you Must not leave your clothes
your parents´ permission all over the floor like this.
Have Mustn´t
Must Must
Must Have
n´t to

EXERCISE TWO
Complete the sentences with the correct Modal Verb: Have to Must Should

You must talk with your brother and try to solve that problem.
The doctor is very worried about my dad and he told me that he had to work less.
I have to fill the tank; it is almost empty.
You cannot go out with your friends. You have to stay at home because you have fever.
The weather is really nice. We should go for a walk.
If you want to watch TV, first you must wash the dishes.
The policeman told us that we have to get out the car.
In internal flights you must check in one hour before the departure.
William, you should rest; you look very tired.
I must go to the bank to get some money.
You are very fat. You should practice sport.
You have to get up; it´s very late.

EXERCISE THREE
Look at the situations below and write an advice with should/shouldn't for each one; you can use the prompts in the
box or write new ones.

Eg. I’m tired

You should get more sleep.
You shouldn´t go to bed so late.

Situatio Suggestio
ns ns
 1. I'm tired Be here in go out now
2. I'm hungry class eat take an
3. It's raining something umbrella
4. I feel ill eat miss
5. I'm sad chocolate breakfast get
go home more sleep
take a rest go to bed so
go out with your friends late
be alone

2) I'M HUNGRY
 YOU SHOULD NOT MISS BREAKFAST
 YOU SHOULD EAT SOMETHING
3) IT'S RAINING
 YOU SHOULD NOT GO HOME
 YOU SHOULD TAKE AN UMBRELLA
4)I FEEL ILL
 YOU SHOULD NOT GO OUT NOW
 YOU SHOULD TAKE A REST
5) I'M SAD
 YOU SHOULD NOT BE ALONE
 YOU SHOULD GO OUT WITH YOUR FRIENDS
EXERCISE FOUR
Read the following situation and fill in with the correct verb forms: should, shouldn´t, have to, don´t / doesn’t have
to, must, mustn´t.

Matthew said he would invite me to to his party, but he didn´t.

He must not make false promises.
You´re such as a fun at the parties, he do not have to invited you.
You do not be offended, he forgot to ring you up.
You _should do not there´s something wrong with you. It was Matthew´s mistake.
If you don´t go to the party, you do not have to buy him a present.That is an advantage!