Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Past modals and phrasal modals of obligation





EXPRESSING OBLIGATION OR NO OBLIGATION
We use must and have to to express obligation. The difference between them is : 

  • We use must when the obligation is inside the speaker. it is a moral obligation
  • We use have to when the obligation is outside the speaker. It comes from the situation.
  • I must do some exercise to get fit.
  • We have to be quiet in class. That´s the rule.
Note: Have to is not a modal verb.

We use don´t / doesn´t have to, needn´t and don´t /doesn´t need to to express no obligation.

  • You don´t need to get up early. It is Sunday!
  • she doesn´t need to wear a coat. It is warm outside.
  • She needn´t cook tonight. We´re eating out. 


Firm obligation, etc. - must and have to 

The verb must only exists in the simple present and present perfect forms. 
While the present form can express obligation, necessity, certainty or strong probability, thepresent perfect forms only express a strongly felt opinion or supposition.

All personsPresentPresent perfect
Affirmativemustmust have
Negativemust not, mustn'tmust not have, mustn't have

If other tenses are required, the speaker or writer must use forms of the synonymous modal verb "have to" .  This modal auxiliary has all normal tenses, including progressive or continuous forms; these are not common, but need to be used in some cases.
Principal tensesPresentPresent perfectPastFuture
Affirmative:has to,
have to
has had to
have had to
had towill have to
Negative;
does not have to,
do not have to ,
doesn't have to
don't have to
has not had to
have not had to
did not have to
didn't have to *
will not have to
won't have to



Exercise 1: Choose the best phrase to complete the sentences 
Exercise 2:  Modals of Obligation

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