MODALS 2

We use expressions of obligation and necessity (must/need to/have to…) when there is a need to
something. This need can be internal (the speaker feels it is necessary) or external (rules or the
situation make it necessary)

1. Obligation and Necessity:

- Must (mustn’t), have to, have got to, need to + V(inf)
VD:
You will need to allow some extra time to get over jet lag
You have (got) to get a work permit before you go
You mustn’t dress too casually for work
You must try a bit harder
- We use “must” when the obligation comes from the speaker (internal)
VD:
I must a get good mark for this exam
- We commonly use “have to” or “need to” when there is a law or institutional rule
VD:
You have/need to get a driver licence to drive a car
- We usually “must” when there is a sign, notice or printed information
VD:
You must stop your vehicle when there is a red light.
- Have got to: spoken English
Have to: written English
- Present: must (mustn’t), have to, have got to, need to
Past/Future: have to, need to

VD:

I had to get up early to catch the bus to work.

You will need to get a driver licence before you buy a car.

- We do not usually make questions with “must” and “ought to”

VD:
What information do you need to know?

2. No obligation/necessity
- We use “have to”, “not need to”, “needn’t” + V (inf) – PRESENT/FUTURE
VD:
You needn’t buy a guide book before you travel to Hong Kong (no necessity)
You don’t have/need to have a licence to ride a bike in Vietnam (no
obligation)
- Mustn’t vs don’t have to/don’t need to/needn’t

VD:
 You don’t have to wait here (it is not necessary to wait here)

You mustn’t wait here (it is not allowed to wait here)

- No obligation/necessity in the past:

o Needn’t have + V2
VD:
I needn’t have bothered to get a work permit (it wasn’t necessary)
o Didn’t have to + V
o Didn’t need to + V
VD:
I didn’t have/need to worry about work permits 5 years ago.
- “Needn’t have V2” vs “Didn’t need to V”
o My parents picked my up from the airport so I didn’t need to get a taxi home (it
wasn’t necessary so I didn’t get a taxi)
o My house wasn’t far from the station so I needn’t have got a taxi (it wasn’t
necessary but I still got a taxi)
- Future: not have to, not need to

VD:

I hope I will not (won’t) have to work late tonight

He is not going to need to come to school tomorrow

3. Suggestions and Advice

- We use: Should (Shouldn’t) and Ought to (Ought not to) + V inf
VD:
You should try to take a lot of photos when you are there
You ought to try and use your text books more
You shouldn’t dress casually for work
- We can use “must” to give a strong advice:
VD:
You must invite me when you get there

EXTRAS:
- Adverbs:
o Frequency adverbs: always/also/sometimes/never/often …. : only come after Modal
Verbs.

VD:

You should always carry some loose change in your pocket

You must never do that again

- To add emphasis, we can use “really” before the verb:

VD:

You really have/need to see it to believe