MODAL VERBS
MODALS OF OBLIGATION
What are MODAL VERBS?
• HE MUST TOMORROW
• They are auxiliary verbs, they go with
other verbs
What are MODAL VERBS?
• HE CAN WILL MEET YOU
• 2 modals verbs cannot go together
• HE MUST TO MEET YOU TOMORROW
• Followed by infinitive without “to”, except
modal verb HAVE TO.
What are MODAL VERBS?
• HE CANS MEET YOU
• Don’t have 3rd person “-s”
• LAST YEAR I CANNED
• Don’t have endings like -ed, -ing, etc
What are MODAL VERBS?
• DO CAN YOU MEET ?) I DON’T CAN
MEET
• Don’t use do/does in questions/ negatives,
but use inversion in questions and “NOT”
after the modal
OTHER TENSES
• MUST: past & future with HAVE TO
• When I was young, we had to wear a
uniform at school
• Next year you will have to study harder
MUST & HAVE TO
• I must finish my homework before 8
• We have to start work at 9 am
• They are both used to express that
something is necessary
MUST
• I must find a hotel to stay at tonight (“I
have to find a hotel” is also possible)
• The speaker decides that something is
necessary (INTERNAL decision)
HAVE TO
• I have to wear a uniform
• Somebody else has made the decision,
it’s not the speaker’s opinion
(EXTERNAL decision)
MUSTN’T & DON’T HAVE TO
• Very different meanings in negative:
• You mustn’t open the door
• You don’t have to open the door
MUSTN’T
• You mustn’t open the door. Lately there
have been many robberies in the
neighbourhood.
• (It’s forbidden /prohibited)
DON’T HAVE TO
• You don’t have to open the door. I
have the keys.
• (It’s not necessary)
SHOULD / SHOULDN’T
• I think you should see the doctor
• I think you shouldn’t watch so much TV
• Give an opinion about what’s the best
thing do do.
• Not as strong as MUST /HAVE TO:
• You must see the doctor
• You have to see the doctor (You have no
alternative)