MODALS & SEMI-MODALS (E I C: B 2 – UNIT 4: LESSON 2)

MODALS AND SEMI-MODALS

MUST
Speaking goal 1: Express external obligation.
1. Children must have their parents’ permission to travel abroad.
2. You must be at least 18 to vote at elections in Bolivia.

Speaking goal 2: Express personal obligation or necessity.

1. I must brush my teeth every day.
2. My sister must pick me up from school tomorrow morning. She
promised me that.

MUST NOT (MUSTN’T)

Speaking goal 1: Express personal prohibition.

1. I must not / mustn’t waste my time. I have a lot of things to do.

Speaking goal 2: Express external prohibition (rules and laws)

1. You must not / mustn’t drive drunk. It’s the law.

HAVE TO / HAS TO:

Speaking goal 1: Express external obligation.
1. I have to pay the electricity bill every month.
2. He has to wear a uniform at work. It’s part of the rules.

Speaking goal 2: Express personal obligation or necessity

1. I have to eat every day.
2. Mary and Jim have to be more patient with people. They’re too short –
tempered.

Copyright © 2023 by Franklin Colmenares in Conjunction with English Language Center, Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission not granted to reproduce or alter in any manner.

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 MODALS & SEMI-MODALS (E I C: B 2 – UNIT 4: LESSON 2)

DON’T HAVE TO / DOESN’T HAVE TO

Speaking goal: Express absence of obligation or necessity.
1. You don’t have to take a computing course to use the internet. You can
do it empirically.
2. Keith doesn’t have to do extra hours at work. That’s optional.

SHOULD
Speaking goal: Give advice, recommendation, suggestions or say that
something is a good idea to do.

1. Jane should study more. She usually has low passing grades.
2. I should save money for the future.

SHOULDN’T

Speaking goal: Say that something isn’t a good idea to do.

1. You shouldn’t stay up until late if you have to work the following day.

CAN:

Speaking goal: Talk about something that’s possible

1. A: I would like to stay longer at the party, Jacob. However, there won’t be
any buses later. I have to go now.
B: Don’t worry. I can drive you home later.
CAN’T:
Speaking goal 1: Express personal prohibition

1. I can’t lie to my parents. I just don’t feel good about it.

Speaking goal 2: Express external prohibition

1. You can’t travel to USA with only your ID. You need a visa.

Copyright © 2023 by Franklin Colmenares in Conjunction with English Language Center, Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission not granted to reproduce or alter in any manner.

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 MODALS & SEMI-MODALS (E I C: B 2 – UNIT 4: LESSON 2)

BONUS
HAD BETTER
Speaking goal: Express strong advice.
EXAMPLE 1:
SERIOUS PROBLEM: Tim has just broken his leg while playing soccer.
STRONG ADVICE: He had better go to the hospital right now. (+)
STRONG ADVICE: He had better not play soccer anymore. (-)

Copyright © 2023 by Franklin Colmenares in Conjunction with English Language Center, Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission not granted to reproduce or alter in any manner.