Modals: permission and obligation | LearnEnglish. Do you know how to use modal verbs to talk about permission and obligation? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you. Look at these examples to see how can, can't, must, mustn't, have to and don’t have to are used. You can put your shoes and coat over there. You can't leave your bike there. I must call the electrician and get that light fixed. Try this exercise to test your grammar. Grammar test 1 Modals – permission and obligation: Grammar test 1 Read the explanation to learn more. We often use verbs with modal meanings to talk about permission and obligation.
Permission can We often use can to ask for and give permission. Can I sit here? Could We also use could to ask for permission (but not to give it). Could I ask you something? May May is the most formal way to ask for and give permission. May I see your passport, please? Prohibition We use can't and mustn't to show that something is prohibited – it is not allowed. can't What does this sign say? Have to. Have to, must and should for obligation and advice. Oliver and Alfie visit the local pet shop, where they are surprised to see Amy. Meanwhile, something is on Sophie's mind ... We use have to / must / should + infinitive to talk about obligation, things that are necessary to do, or to give advice about things that are a good idea to do. Must and have to are both used for obligation and are often quite similar.
They are both followed by the infinitive. I must go now. / I have to go now. Are these exactly the same? Well, almost. I must remember to get a present for Daisy. Which verb do people use more? Have to is more frequent in conversation; must is used more in formal writing, for example in written notices. Passengers must fasten their seat-belts. Do they change in form for I, you, he, she, etc.? Have changes in the third person singular (he/she/it has); but must doesn’t change.
I think I’ve heard have got to. Yes, we use both have got to, for obligation, and had better, for advice, a lot in speaking. So they’re not used in formal writing? Have to, don't have to, must, mustn't - Test-English. Must/mustn’t, have to/don’t have to: Form Download full-size image from Pinterest Must/mustn’t Use must + infinitive without to Must is a modal verb, and modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without to. I must to go to the doctor. No -s Modal verbs don’t add -s after he/she/it.
He must comes with us. Use must/mustn’t in negatives and questions Must is an auxiliary verb. We don’t must arrive early. Have to/don’t have to Use do and did in negatives and questions The verb have in have to is not an auxiliary verb. Have you to get up early tomorrow? No contraction The verb have in have to cannot be contracted to ‘ve.
I‘ve to study for the exam tomorrow. Past and future forms Only have to has a past and a future form. Yesterday, I must take a taxi. Must vs have to, Mustn’t vs Don’t have to: Use Download full-size image from Pinterest Have to Rules and obligations We use have to to talk about rules and obligations, something that is necessary. Must Must is very similar to have to. Don’t have to Mustn’t.