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Grammar reference

Modal Verbs

Modal Verbs: Obligation and Advice

Must, have to, should, ought to.

b1

Explanation

Must expresses obligation felt by the speaker; have to expresses obligation from outside. Should and ought to give advice. Do not have to means there is no obligation, which is the opposite of must not.

Examples

  • You must wear a helmet on site.
  • I have to submit the form by Friday.
  • You do not have to attend, but you must reply.

Common mistakes

  • You must to rest.

    You must rest.

    Modals take a bare infinitive.

  • I must not work tomorrow, it is a holiday.

    I do not have to work tomorrow.

    No obligation is do not have to.

  • She shoulds apologise.

    She should apologise.

    Modals never take -s.

More Modal Verbs

Modal Verbs: Deduction and Possibility

Must be, might be, cannot be, should have.

Modal Verbs: Ability and Possibility

Can, could, be able to, manage to.

Modal Verbs: Permission and Prohibition

Can, may, be allowed to, must not.

Polite Requests and Offers

Could, would, will, shall.