Worksheet: Modal Verbs (Obligation & Permission)
Name: _______________________ Date: ________________________
Part A: Grammar Quick Review
Read the rules before you begin.
Necessary: have to, has to, need to, must
Not Necessary: don't have to, doesn't have to, needn't
Permitted: can
Not Permitted: can't, mustn't
Important Note: We usually use have to (not must) and can't (not mustn't) to talk about
general rules or arrangements. Example: I have to wear a uniform at work.
Part B: Prohibition vs. No Obligation
Instructions: Circle the correct modal verb for each sentence. Pay close attention to whether
the action is forbidden or simply not necessary.
1. You ( mustn't / don't have to ) bring a laptop to the class. The school provides
computers for everyone.
2. Students ( mustn't / needn't ) cheat on their final exams. It will result in automatic
failure.
3. We ( mustn't / needn't ) wake up early tomorrow. It's a national holiday!
4. You ( don't have to / mustn't ) drive over the speed limit. It's against the law.
5. She ( doesn't have to / mustn't ) cook dinner tonight because we ordered pizza.
6. You ( needn't / mustn't ) tell anyone my password. It's a strict secret.
Part C: Asking Questions
Instructions: Complete the questions using Do/Does... have to (for obligation) or Can... (for
permission).
1. _____________________ I use a pen for the exam, or is a pencil okay?
2. _____________________ he wear a suit to his new office job?
3. _____________________ we leave the campus during our lunch break?
4. _____________________ you speak English perfectly to get the job?
5. _____________________ visitors take photographs inside the museum?
Job Requirements Instructions: Choose two of the jobs below. Write two sentences for each
job: one explaining something the person has to do, and one explaining something they don't
have to do.
Jobs: * A doctor
An engineer
A pilot
Helpful Phrases: be good at math | have a degree | have good eyesight | wear a uniform |
work on the weekend
Job 1: ___________________________
(has to)
___________________________________________________________________
(doesn't have to)
___________________________________________________________
Job 2: ___________________________
(has to)
___________________________________________________________________
(doesn't have to)
___________________________________________________________
Job 1: ___________________________
(has to)
___________________________________________________________________
(doesn't have to)
___________________________________________________________
Job 2: ___________________________
(has to)
___________________________________________________________________
(doesn't have to)
___________________________________________________________