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Modal Verbs:

Should, Ought to,
Have to and Must

Presentation


In this topic, you are going to practice the structure for modal verbs should, ought to, must and have to. These grammar forms are used to express advice, suggestion, obligation, duty, compromise and need or its lack. These are significant structures used in our everyday conversations.

ITry to follow the order given to better understand their use and structure. Here you will not only be practising grammar and vocabulary, but also developing your speaking, reading, listening and writing skills.

By the end of the tasks, you will be taking some tests to identify your progress. Remember: The more you practice, the more you will learn!



Objective

At the end of this topic you will:
Use the modal verbs, should and ought to, to express advice and suggestion formally. You will also explore, have to and must to communicate obligation, compromise or need. You will achieve this by practising the modal verbs in different contexts in affirmative, negative or interrogative forms.



Modal verbs

should, ought to, must and have to

How do you give advice, a suggestion, or talk about obligations, needs, duties or compromise in English? We express this by using modal verbs: should, ought to, must and have to. In this unit, we are going to explore this topic.

Modal verbs: should, ought to, must and have to

A modal verb is a type of verb that is used to express modality, such as advice, suggestion, obligation or need.


Read the following conversation. Notice the different meanings expressed by using modal verbs.




Let’s check some information, examples and activities to know more about these important elements of the English language!



Should and Ought to for giving opinion and advice:

  • I. FUNCTION: EXPRESSING OPINION AND ADVICE

    We use should and shouldn't to give advice or to talk about what we think is right or wrong. This modal is used to express our subjective opinion. In other words, ‘what I think is best for you to do’.



    In most cases should and ought to are used interchangeably to express advice, obligation or duty. Ought to is a bit more formal and is used to express an objective truth.


  • II. DIFFERENT FORMS OF SHOULD AND OUGHT TO

  • III. THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT MODAL VERBS



After exploring should and ought to, it is time to practice with them.







Exercise 1. Let´s practice

Match each comment with the correct advice or suggestion. Notice the comments are on top and the suggestions below.

Well done! Let´s try another exercise to reinforce what you have explored.



Exercise 2. Let’s practice

Re-write the following sentences to express the same meaning as in the original sentence.

Example:

It´s not a good idea that you wear those sneakers for your job interview.

You shouldn’t wear those sneakers for your job interview.




Great! Now it is time to do some activities where you have to identify and use should and ought to in different contexts. Remember, practice is the key to success!





Reading

Activity 1

Texting Etiquette

Modals should and ought to are commonly used to: give suggestions and advice.

In this activity, you are going to read a text about texting suggestions for everyday situations. Once you have read it, you'll be able to understand the use of should and ought to, to offer suggestions or advice to the readers. Before reading the text, check and answer the following questions:


After reading the text, read each one of the following sentences (1 to 10). Select “yes” or “no” according to the information that you read in the article. You only have one opportunity to answer. Note: If necessary you can go back to the text. At the end of the exercise, click the button to know your results.

After doing this activity, think about the following questions:
Which places would you like to visit with friends or relatives?
Which places do you consider appropriate for going on a first date?

Listening

Activity 2

London Touristic Attractions

Modals should and ought to are commonly used to: give suggestions and advice.

In this activity, you are going to listen to an audio about suggestions for visiting some of the best tourist attractions in London. Once you have heard it, you'll be able to understand the use of should and ought to for providing suggestions or advice to the listeners. Before listening to the audio, check and answer these questions:


After listening to information about tourist attractions in London, try to do this activity. You have to match the tourist attraction (by dragging it) with the corresponding description. You have two attempts to listen and answer to each item correctly. At the end of the activity, you can know your score if you click the button: “Check answers”.






After doing this activity, think about these questions: Which places would you like to visit with friends or relatives? Which places do you consider appropriate for going on a first date?

Writing

Activity 3

Agony pages

Modals should and ought to are commonly used to: give suggestions and advice.

In this activity, you are going to read a problem that was posted on a web site “Agony Page of Dr M.” as well as its reply. “Do you want to read the reply that Dr M. gave to this problem?…”

Once you have read them, you'll be able to understand the use of should and ought to for asking and providing suggestions or advice. Before starting the message, read and answer these questions:

After reading the message and the reply that Dr M. gave to the teenager, to try to do the following activity. Write an answer, similar to the example given. Remember to use should and the advice (four different suggestions) that you consider adequate. Try to give your answer in about 150 words.

Remember to check the “Writing Rubrics” to guide your activity. It will help you assess yourself later on.

Speaking

Activity 4

Advice for a lonely heart

Considering the previously written activity, you are going to imagine that you are having a personal conversation with the person who wrote the message you replied to.

In this conversation, you are going to give him/her some suggestions to try to solve his / her problem. Use the previously written message as a guide. Try to sound as natural as possible.

Once you have recorded it, self assess yourself by using the checklist offered.









Grammar structure:

have to and must

Knowing how to express obligation, compromise or need is necessary for English speakers. Here is some vital information that may help you to better understand must and have to. Check it and discover new information about this topic.



  • FUNCTION: MUST AND HAVE TO TO EXPRESS DUTY, OBLIGATION, COMPROMISE OR NEED.

    We use must or have to to explain that something is necessary.

    I must finish my homework before 8:00
    I have to phone Valery before 9:00

    In writting, there is no real difference between must or have to. In speech there is a small difference:

    1. We use have to when the situation makes something necessary, for example because of official rules. The speaker in here expresses facts, not his/her own feelings.

      • At our school, we have to wear a uniform
      • To board the suburban train, we have to use a special card
      • To take an examination, students have to be in the classroom on time

      In everyday speech, we can use have got to instead of have to.


    2. We use must when the speaker personally feels that something is important. S/he is saying what s/he thinks is necessary.

      • You really must stop working so hard and go on vacation
      • We must be here by 8:00 or the plane will leave without us
      • She must stop eating junk food or she'll get fatter!

  • FUNCTION: MUST AND HAVE TO TO EXPRESS DUTY, OBLIGATION, COMPROMISE OR NEED. (NEGATIVE FORMS)

    In their negative forms mustn’t and don't have to have different meanings:

    1. Mustn't describes an action that is prohibited / forbidden

      • You mustn’t turn on your cell phone when the plane is taking off
      • You mustn't combine sleeping pills with alcohol. It’s dangerous!

    2. Don't have to describes an action which is not necessary – you have a choice.

      • You don't have to turn on the heating system. It´s automatic

  • FORM: AFFIRMATIVE, NEGATIVE AND INTERROGATIVE (MUST)

  • FORM: AFFIRMATIVE, NEGATIVE AND INTERROGATIVE (HAVE TO)

  • SOME THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT MODAL VERBS:

    There is no “s” ending in the third person singular.

    Questions and negative are formed without “do” or “does” (Except for have to)

    They are followed by the infinitive form of the verb without “to” ( with the exception of “have to”)

    They have no infinitive or participle forms.

    Other verbs must be used with them to give complete ideas in sentences.

    Have to is also known as a semi-modal because it doesn´t follow all the rules of a modal verb. Besides, it can be conjugated in many different tenses: present, past, present perfect, simple future, etc. (I have to go to school every day / I had to go to school when I was a child / I have had to go to school all this year / I will have to go to school next term).

    1. There is no “s” ending in the third person singular.
    2. Questions and negative are formed without “do” or “does” (Except for have to)
    3. They are followed by the infinitive form of the verb without “to” ( with the exception of “have to”)
    4. They have no infinitive or participle forms.
    5. Other verbs must be used with them to give complete ideas in sentences.
    6. Have to is also called a semi-modal because it doesn´t follow all the rules of an authentic modal verb. Besides, it can be conjugated in many different tenses: present, past, present perfect, simple future, etc. (I have to go to school every day / I had to go to school when I was a child / I have had to go to school all this year / I will have to go to school next term).


Useful information, don't you think? Now, it's your turn to solve some exercises to practice what you have explored.







Exercise 1.

Select the correct form: must, mustn’t, have to, or don’t have to in each sentence. You have one opportunity to answer correctly. When you finish, check your answers by pressing the “Check answers” button.



Well done! Now, let’s try another activity to practice these modals.



Exercise 2.

Select the correct form of the modal verbs to complete these sentences. When you finish, click the “Check answers” button to see your result. You have one opportunity to answer correctly.



Well done! Now, let's continue working with some other exciting activities using the modal verbs must and have to.

Reading

Activity 1

Reading about Weird laws around the World

Very good! Your continuous practice is giving good results! It’s time for you to do a reading activity that is going to be evaluated. It’s easy and exciting, you’ll see.

Read the following text about with strange laws from around the world. If you need to check vocabulary from the reading, you can use the following online dictionaries: Cambridge Dictionary or Macmillan Dictionary



Excellent! Here is the exercise mark True or False based on the information you have just read. You have one opportunity to answer correctly. If necessary, you can go back to check the text. When you have finished, click on “Check answers” to know your score.

Writing

Activity 2

My community

You have been doing well! Now, you are going to identify some situations in your community (4 problems) that you would like to change because they're not convenient for its citizens.

Then, make some notes about the reasons why they need to be changed. Remember to use must (must not) and have to (don´t have to) in your proposal.

Finally, you are going to put those notes together to write a short composition named: “Things that must be changed in my community”.

The composition needs to be written in about 150 words. Remember to check punctuation, capitalisation and the organisation of your ideas. Check the “Writing Rubrics” to know the elements you need to include in your composition.

To help you with this task, check the example and the template provided below. Remember that your composition needs to be original and not a copy of these suggestions.

Read these examples:


Write your composition in Word format and when you finish it, save it and then self-assess yourself using the checklist.


Well done! You are about to finish working on this topic! Finally, let’s continue to the listening part.



Listening

Activity 3

Deadline!!!

Very good! You have read about the uses and forms of have to and must and have practised them. Now it is time to do some activities for you to see how much you have learned about these topics.

You are going to listen to a conversation between Martha and Julian about the deadline for a school project. Listen to the instructions that Martha gives Julian.








Good! These are some sentences associated with the previous dialogue. Please read the following instructions and answer accordingly.

Choreño, A. (2017). Conversation.
Donated by Araceli Choreño



Excellent! Now, let’s go to a speaking activity where you are going to talk about school or your work. This will be easy and interesting!

Speaking

Activity 4

Personal Duties

Great job! Now, try a final evaluation activity connected to some of the things you have to do (or not), must do (or not) at work or at work. You´ll see that after practising continuously, it is an easy activity!

Imagine that you are talking to a good friend about some of the things you have to do (or don't have to do) and must do (or must not do) at school or at work. Include the following categories in your activity and give some reasons. Use the Speaking Rubrics to guide you in your oral presentation. You have to present your topic in about 1-2 minutes.

Check the grammar section and write some notes as a guideline. After practising for a while, record yourself. Then use the rubrics to self-assess yourself. After that, check your score.

You're about to finish this topic! You must be very proud of yourself! Finally, below is a self-assessment activity for you to see how much you have learned about this topic.



Self-assessment

Advising my friends.

You have worked very hard to reach this point! Do the final self-assessment activity for you to check how much you have learned about this topic.

Select the appropriate form to complete the following sentences: should or shouldn’t.

Remember that we use should to give a suggestion or advice.


Suggestions for everyday situations

It is very common to give suggestions to our friends, colleagues or relatives about different events of our everyday life. Now it is time to practice it.

Select the appropriate form to complete these sentences: ought to or ought not to.

Remember that ought to is used to give a suggestion or advice.


Obligations and needs

You're doing fine! Here’s the second part of the final self-assessment activity so you can check how much you have learned about this topic.

Select the appropriate form of modal verb to complete the following sentences: must or have to.

Remember we use must or have to to explain that something is necessary.


Obligatory and necessary actions

When we talk about needs or obligations, or when we express a strong opinion on everyday contexts, we use must or have to. We use don’t have to when it is unnecessary to do something.


References

Basic References

• Vince, M. (2003) Intermediate Language Practice MacMillan. England (págs. 69-71)
• Werner, P.K. (1996) Mosaic One. McGraw Hill. USA. (págs. 120-130)
• Scrivener, J. (2010) Teaching English Grammar. MacMillan. Oxford. (págs. 228-322)


Basic References

• Murphy, R. (1985) English Grammar in Use. Intermediate. Cambridge University Press. London.
• Vince, M. (2003) Intermediate Language Practice MacMillan. England (págs. 69-74)
• Werner, P.K. (1996) Mosaic One. McGraw Hill. USA. (págs. 120-130)
• Scrivener, J. (2010) Teaching English Grammar. MacMillan. Oxford. (págs. 218-230)