A A ENGLISH GRAMMAR
Modal verbs 2
Lesson code: 12VA-J4MB-AQHM INTERMEDIATE +
1 Modal verbs for necessity and advice
We use the modal verbs must, have to, need to and should to say that something is necessary or to give
advice. The table below summarizes the main uses of the positive and negative form of each modal verb:
Modal verb Use Examples
must to say that something is It's getting late. I have to go now.
necessary or obligatory You must get up early if you want to get to work on
have to time.
need to Joaquim isn't ready for his exam. He needs to study
harder.
NOTE: must vs. have to
There is a small difference between must and have to.
In general, must refers to an internal feeling whereas
have to can also refer to an external
obligation, e.g. a rule, a time limit, etc.
don't have to to say that something is I'm not working tomorrow so I don't have to get up
not necessary early.
don't need to You don't need to give me your phone number. I
needn't already have it.
You needn't worry about me. I'll be fine.
mustn't to say that something is You mustn't smoke here. This is a non-smoking area.
prohibited or forbidden
should / to say that something is You should spend some time in England to improve
shouldn't a good or bad idea your English.
You shouldn't drink so quickly. You will get drunk.
Dialogue
A: It's getting late. I must go home now.
B: Really? But you don't have to work tomorrow.
A: Yes, I know. But I should get some sleep. My doctor says I need to relax more.
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Modal verbs 2
A A A A ENGLISH GRAMMAR
2 Practice 1 - Must or have to
Claire is a architect. She has just started her new job. Complete the sentences below using must or
have to in the correct form, positive or negative.
1. She has to work 8 hours every day.
2. She smoke at work. The building is a non-smoking area.
3. She wear very formal clothes. The office has a relaxed dress code.
4. She wear a hard hat when visiting a building site, according to safety regulations.
5. She meet clients every day. Her work involves a lot of meetings.
6. She work hard if she wants a promotion. Her boss is very demanding.
7. She get up early every day. She can work flexible hours.
8. She park her car near the building entrance. That space is reserved for the director.
3 Practice 2 - Should or shouldn't
Give your friend advice using should or shouldn't and one of the phrases below.
be so careless eat so much cake go to bed earlier have an eye test
quit your job take up a new hobby try to relax more use your phone all day
1. "I am always tired during the day."
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. "I need to lose weight."
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. "I'm very stressed these days."
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. "I feel bored."
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. "My purse was stolen again!"
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6. "I can't see very well."
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7. "My boss is driving me crazy!"
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8. "My phone bill is really expensive."
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Modal verbs 2
A A A A ENGLISH GRAMMAR
4 Practice 3
Rewrite each sentence using an appropriate modal verb from Page 1. More than one answer may be
possible.
1. It is very important that you do not forget to call me tomorrow.
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. It is not necessary for them to wait for me.
They . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. It is obligatory for us to check out of the hotel before midday.
We . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. It is a good idea for him to study hard if he wants to pass his exam.
He . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. I feel it is very important that you try to go to bed early tonight.
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6. It isn't a good idea to believe everything you read on the internet.
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7. It is obligatory to drive on the left side of the road in the UK.
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8. It is forbidden to cross the border without a passport.
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9. It is not necessary for his present to be expensive.
His present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Talk about your country. What advice would you give a visitor. Make some sentences using the modal
verbs from this lesson, for example:
You have to drive on the right. You should use the formal `you' when you don't know someone.
You can review this worksheet online at www.linguahouse.com/ex 3/3
Review your flashcards at least 3-5 times a week for 20 minutes to keep the material fresh in your memory.
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