MODAL VERBS
Prof. Martín Torres
CONVERSATION MODEL
A: My friend never seems to have time for me. I
just can't count on her anymore.
B: Well, she started a new job, right? She must be
really busy.
A: Yes, I'm sure she is. But she used to call me all
the time.
B: I think you should call her. Maybe she could be
upset with you about something.
MUST
Use must to express obligation or
draw conclusions.
-We must finish today. The boss
said it.
-Sheila must be at university
now.
MUSTN’T
Use mustn’t to express
prohibition.
-You mustn’t walk in dangerous
places at night.
-You mustn’t speak with your
mouth full.
HAVE TO
We also use have to for
obligation. The difference is that
must is more PERSONAL and
have to more
IMPERSONAL/SITUATIONAL.
HAVE / HAS TO
-You all have to wear a mask to
get on the plane.
-She has to respect the
company’s policies.
*In spoken English, have to is more used than
must.
DON’T / DOESN’T HAVE TO
Use it to express something that is not
obligatory (there’s no need for you to do
so).
-Ed doesn’t have to come to the meeting
today.
-My friends don’t need money to have
fun.
SHOULD / SHOULDN’T
Use should/shouldn’t to express suggestion
or give advice.
-He seems to be sick. He should go to the
hospital as soon as possible.
-You should turn on the light to see well.
-She’s the leader. You shouldn’t talk to her
like that.
LET’S SEE IF YOU GOT IT
1) I ____ DO MORE EXERCISE
TO BE HEALTHY.
2) YOU ____ TO JOIN US IF YOU
DON’T WANT.
3) YOUR CHILDREN ____ EAT
TOO MANY CANDIES.
LET’S SEE IF YOU GOT IT
1) I MUST DO MORE EXERCISE
TO BE HEALTHY.
2) YOU DON’T HAVE TO JOIN
US IF YOU DON’T WANT.
3) YOUR CHILDREN SHOULDN’T
EAT TOO MANY CANDIES.
LET’S SEE IF YOU GOT IT
4) YOU ____ TALK TO JEREMY
AND TELL HIM THE TRUTH.
5) MY DAD ____ GO TO WORK
NOW.
6) THE TEACHER TOLD ME I ____
GO OUT OF THE ROOM
WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION.
LET’S SEE IF YOU GOT IT
4) YOU MUST TALK TO JEREMY
AND TELL HIM THE TRUTH.
5) MY DAD HAS TO GO TO WORK
NOW.
6) THE TEACHER TOLD ME I
MUSTN’T GO OUT OF THE ROOM
WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION.
LET’S SEE IF YOU GOT IT
7) THELMA, I HAVE A PARTY
TONIGHT. WHAT ____ I WEAR?
8) SIMON, THIS IS A SERIOUS
COMPANY. YOU ____ WEAR YOUR
UNIFORM EVERY DAY.
9) IS HE THE DRIVER? HE ____
DRINK SO MUCH WINE.
LET’S SEE IF YOU GOT IT
7) THELMA, I HAVE A PARTY
TONIGHT. WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
8) SIMON, THIS IS A SERIOUS
COMPANY. YOU MUST WEAR
YOUR UNIFORM EVERY DAY.
9) IS HE THE DRIVER? HE MUSTN’T
DRINK SO MUCH WINE.
WRITE AN EMAIL
Mirko, a new exchange student from
Germany, has just moved to Mendoza and
has found it difficult to adapt to change.
He's written to you asking for some advice.
Let Mirko know about the things he should
(shouldn't), must (mustn't) or can (can't) do
in the city.
130-150 words