modals of obligation
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TRANSCRIPT
MODALS OF OBLIGATION
MUST, HAVE TO, SHOULD, OUGHT TO
We use must (do) and have to (do) to say that it is necessary to do something.
e.g. Well, it’s 11 o’clock. I must/have to go now, I have a meeting at 11,30.
OBLIGATION or STRONG RECOMMENDATION
There is sometimes a DIFFERENCE between must and have to.
- With MUST the speakers are giving their own feelings, saying what they think is necessary:
e.g. I must send an e-mail to Liz. I haven’t written to her since Christmas.
e.g. I must study English if I want to pass the exam.
- With HAVE TO the speakers are not giving their feelings. They are just giving facts :
e.g. I can’t come on Saturday, I have to work.
e.g. Students have to wear uniforms at this school.
You can only use must to talk about the present and future:
e.g. We must go now.
e.g. You must be on time tomorrow
Have to, however, can be used in all forms :
e.g. I had to leave the party early because I felt ill.
e.g. What do I have to do to get a degree in Economics?
BUT, NOTE:
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Have a passport to travel to Africa
You have to have a passport
to travel to Africa!
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You mustn’t do something means it is prohibited that you do it.
e.g. You mustn’t tell anyone what I said.
PROHIBITION
e.g. You mustn’t smoke.
You don’t have to do something means it is not necessary to do it.
e.g. I can stay in bed tomorrow because I don’t have to go to school.
ABSENCE OF OBLIGATION
You don’t have to get up early at the weekend!
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You don’t have to work on holiday!
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We use should (do) and ought to (do) to give advice or say what you think is a good or a bad thing to do.
e.g. You shouldn’t smoke so much.
e.g. Cyclists should wear a helmet.
* Should and ought to are very similar, and can often replace each other. But should is much more frequent than ought to.
ADVICE or OPINION
Take warm clothes if you go to Dublin
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You should take warm clothes if you go to Dublin in winter!
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You shouldn’t drink so much coffee!
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