Must, have to or should: how to choose a modal verb. What is the difference between should, ought to and must? Rules and examples Modal verbs have to must should

Why are modal verbs needed in English? Which modal verbs are worth remembering and which are not? How to build phrases with modal verbs correctly? You will find answers and many examples of English sentences with modal verbs in this article.

What is a modal verb?

Modal verbs are unusual in that they are never used on their own. A modal verb is always used in conjunction with another - a semantic verb. It is the semantic verb that indicates what action is being discussed. And the role of the modal verb is to show the attitude of the speaker to this action.

The easiest way to understand the purpose of modal verbs is with examples. Take a look at the offer:

I play football.
I'm play soccer.

And now, let's add the modal verbs can, must, may to this sentence and see how the meaning changes:

I can play football.
I can play football.

I must play football.
I have to play football.

I may play football.
I'm allowed to play football.

In all three sentences, the same semantic verb is play (play). But look how different in meaning the sentences we got using different modal verbs.

So modal verbs should be used when talking about:

• possibility/impossibility to perform an action;
• the presence / absence of the need to perform an action;
• advice/order/recommendation to perform an action;
• assessment of the probability of performing an action.

This is not a complete list of what modal verbs are used for in English. Next, we will take a closer look at the 10 basic English modal verbs, what they have meanings and how to use them correctly. Let's start with the three most common modal verbs.

Three MAIN modal verbs.

For most situations, it will be enough to know 3 modal verbs - can, must and may. These are the most used modal verbs in English. The verb can is generally included in the top ten most used English words and not a single conversation can do without it. The main meanings of these verbs are given in the table:

Examples of using:

He can swim fast.
He can swim fast.

I must be strong.
I must be strong.

You may call me tomorrow.
You can call me tomorrow.

She may be right.
Perhaps she is right.

In fact, each of these modal verbs has many meanings. Here I give the most common translation of them. You can get acquainted in detail with all the meanings of the "big three" verbs at the links:

But in order to use modal verbs in your speech, it is not enough to know their translation. You also need to learn how to correctly build sentences with modal verbs.

Modal verbs in English: RULES of use.

Modal verbs in English behave differently than most regular verbs. To correctly build sentences with modal verbs, you need to know a few rules. Here are the basic rules for using modal verbs:

1. As already mentioned, the modal verb is always used in conjunction with the semantic verb.

Moreover, the semantic verb is always taken in an indefinite form and the particle to is not placed before it. The combination of a modal and semantic verb is called a modal predicate. In an affirmative sentence, the modal predicate is placed in the place of the usual predicate, that is, immediately after the subject.

Right:

I can speak Spanish.
I can speak Spanish.

You must help me.
You must help me.

Wrong:

I can speak Spanish. You must help me.

2. Modal verbs do not change by person. The ending "-s" in the third person is not added to them.

Right:

She can speak English.
She can speak English.

He must help me.
He must help me.

Wrong:

She can speak English.
He must help me.

3. Modal verbs do not form the future tense.

If a sentence containing a modal verb refers to the future tense, then this is usually clear from the context.

For example:

You must pass your exam later.
You must take the exam later.

I can go for a walk only tomorrow.
I can only go for a walk tomorrow.

4. Of all the modal verbs in English, only two have past tense forms. These forms are shown in the table:

1 form (present)	2nd form (past tense)
can	could
may	might

To get a question from an affirmative sentence, you just need to take the modal verb out of the first place.

You can drive. - Can you drive?
Can you drive a car?

I must go. - Must I go?
I have to go?

6. Negative sentences are also formed without the auxiliary verb to do.

Just a negative particle not placed immediately after the modal verb. At the same time, with the modal verb can, the particle not is written together - cannot. The negative form of modal verbs in English is often shortened:

In the negative form, many modal verbs take on the meaning of prohibition. Moreover, the severity of the prohibition depends on which modal verb is used:

may not - softer form - "cannot be"

cannot - the mildest possible prohibition - "you can't", "not desirable"

Examples:

You must not smoke in this room!
You can't smoke in this room!

Children may not go for a walk without parents.
Children should not go for a walk without their parents.

You cannot call her. Wait 15 minutes.
Don't call her, wait 15 minutes.

There is an exception to the last two rules. The modal verb have to requires the auxiliary verb do in interrogative and negative sentences.

It is probably not superfluous to recall that modal verbs have to And ought to require particles to after themselves. Which is also an exception to the general rule for all modal verbs in English.

How often do you have to work on Sunday?
How often do you have to work on Saturdays?

Modal verbs in English - Complete list.

Are the three most common modal verbs not enough for you? It's time to dig deeper! Consider in order all the main modal verbs of the English language.

Modal verb can (could)

In affirmative sentences, it is used to talk about physical/mental ability or ability to do something.

She can play piano.
She can play the piano.

In interrogative sentences, he expresses a request:

Can you repeat your questions?
Could you repeat your questions?

In negative sentences, the modal verb can, in addition to the obvious meaning "can't / can't / can't" sometimes has the meaning of prohibition.

You can't lift this bag.
You can't lift this bag. (since it's too heavy)

You can't drive so fast.
You can't drive that fast. (you are forbidden)

The modal verb can has a past tense form - could. In addition to the actual past tense, could is used in interrogative sentences to make a polite request.

I could play the violin.
I could play the violin. (past tense)

Could you pass me pepper?
Could you pass me the pepper? (polite request)

Modal verb may (might)

If you look in the dictionary, you will find that the modal verb may is translated in the same way as the verb can - can / can / can / can. But, there is a difference between may and can and it is significant. Unlike the verb can, the modal verb may expresses not a physical or mental ability, but permission to perform an action received from someone.

She may do what she wants.
She can do whatever she wants. (She's allowed to do what she wants)

The second meaning of the modal verb may is that it allows speculate(maybe I will, maybe I will).

I may visit you tomorrow.
I may visit you tomorrow.

In such sentences, may can be replaced with might. The use of might instead of may does not indicate the past tense, as one might think, but the speaker's less certainty in the assumption being made.

Modal verb must

We use this modal verb to say that action must be performed. That is, when it comes to a sense of duty.

We must help our parents.
We must help our parents.

The modal verb must can also be used to speculate. In this sense, it is similar to the modal verb may. The use of must instead of may indicates that the speaker is more confident in what he is saying.

She must be a student.
She must be a student.

Modal verb have to

The verb have to is similar in meaning to the modal verb must. He also speaks of duty, necessity or obligation. The modal verbs must and have to differ in that:

• have to expresses an obligation related to external circumstances;
• must expresses a duty associated with an internal need, a sense of duty or a personal opinion of the speaker.

Examples of sentences with the modal verb have to:

You have to work more.
You must work harder.

Modal verb should

The modal verb should can be used to:
1. Give advice

You are ill. You should go to the clinic.
Are you ill. You need to go to the clinic.

2. Report an obligation or debt. In this sense, the modal verbs should and must are similar, but should sounds softer or with a hint of doubt that the action will be performed.

Your company should send us a report today.
Your company should send us a report today.

3. Say about the expected action or action possible with a high probability.

It is night now. He should be at home.
It's night now. He must be at home.

Modal verb ought to

Like must, the modal verb ought to indicates that an action must be performed. But at the same time, a sentence with ought to sounds less categorical than a similar sentence with must and contains a connotation of friendly recommendation or advice.

Modal verb need

Unlike other modal verbs in English, the verb need can perform the function of not only a modal, but also a semantic verb.

The semantic verb need is translated as need. Use the semantic verb need when you go to say that you need some thing.

I need a good car.
I need a good car.

As a modal verb, need is only used in the negative form of "need not" and is similar in meaning to "must not". The difference between the modal verbs need not and must not is as follows:

• must not speaks of a strict prohibition on performing an action;
• need not indicates that the action is not required.

For example:

You need not account to me.
You don't have to report to me.

Modal verb shall

This modal verb has several meanings. It can express:

• Promise
• warning
• threat

For example:

He shall do his work.
She will do her job. (Promise)

Don "t give her my book. She shall lose it.
Don't give her my book. She will lose her. (warning)

Modal verb will (would)

The main meaning of the modal verb will in English is to express agreement to perform some action.

I will pay off my debts.
I will pay my debts.

will has other meanings as well.

Synonyms of modal verbs.

Some modal verbs in English have synonyms. Synonyms of modal verbs are phrases that have the same meaning as the modal verb, but at the same time they conjugate and form tenses according to general rules.

As you remember, modal verbs cannot be used in the future tense. Therefore, in the future tense, the modal verb is replaced by the corresponding synonym. For example:

You will be able to understand Chinese.
You will be able to understand Chinese.

Modal verbs in English - exercises with answers.

If you have read this far, then you probably already know a lot about modal verbs. It's time to consolidate your knowledge by completing some practical exercises. More exercises can be found at this link.

EXERCISE 1. Put the correct verb in place of the ellipsis. To check the correct answer, click the "Correct Answer" button.

EXERCISE 2. Translate the sentences into English.

EXERCISE 3. Correct the mistake in the English sentences.

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In English there is a whole category of words that can be safely called special, different from other groups of vocabulary. These words are modal verbs: Can, Could, Must, May, Might, Should, Need, Have to. Although they are not used as independent lexical units, since they express only the necessity, ability or possibility of performing an action, their role in the language is incredibly great. What are these words and when are they used?

Can

Can is considered to be the most common word in the modal group. Thanks to him, we can communicate that we can / can do something or are capable of something.

Can is used to refer to:

• intellectual or physical real ability to do something;
• requests, permission, prohibition;
• doubts, distrust, surprise.

But it must be remembered that the modal verb can itself does not denote an action, so it must be followed by another verb that directly indicates the execution of the process. This rule applies to all other words discussed below.

could

Must

The modal verb must denotes an obligation, namely:

• an obligation or some kind of duty due to personal beliefs, principles, traditions;
• advice, recommendation or order;
• the probability / assumption of the action.

Must is used not only in the present tense, but also in the future. It is important to remember that in all cases its shape does not change.

May

The modal verb may indicates the possibility of performing an action or the assumption of such a possibility. In a general sense, it is translated as you can / can / can, etc. May is used when it is necessary to express:

• the objective possibility of performing an action that nothing and no one interferes with;
• a formal request or permission;
• doubtful assumption.

Might

Might is the past tense form of May. Also used to indicate the possibility/request/opportunity to perform an action. One of the special meanings of the word Might is an expression of slight condemnation or disapproval. Interestingly, although the modal verb might is considered the past tense, it is used to indicate the execution of a process both in the present and in the future.

The modal verb should is similar in meaning to Must, but is not as strict. So, Should is used when the task is to express an obligation or duty, stylistically weakened to a recommendation or advice. Should is also used to indicate reproach or regret due to the fact that the desired action was not previously performed or can no longer be performed.

need

The modal verb need should be used to express a need or urgent need for an action. Accordingly, if Need is present in a negative construction, it means that there is no need / permission to do something. Need is also found in interrogative constructions - here it indicates doubts about the appropriateness of the process in question.

The main distinguishing feature of Have to is that it denotes the obligation to perform actions due to specific circumstances. Based on this, the modal verb have to is recommended to be used only when it is necessary to indicate the compulsion of actions due to the current situation, and not personal desires. Have to can be used at all times, but each has its own form: the present - Have to or Has to, the past - Had to, the future - Will have to.

Without a doubt, without modal verbs it is impossible to build a competent and stylistically neat speech. Therefore, when choosing ways to learn English, which you can familiarize yourself with, be sure to include the study of this category of vocabulary in the chosen methodology. Moreover, now you have a useful theoretical base that will help you successfully cope with the task.

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HAVE TO

Have to is used in the sense of "under the influence of external circumstances, I need to do this and that." Or in our sense of "I have to." Those. I myself do not want to, but I am being forced from outside. I'd be happy not to, but if I don't, it will be bad.

Example: " sorry,Ican'tgo-Ihave to domyhomework" - "I'm sorry, I can't go, I have to do my homework."

It means that a person wants to go, and does not want to do homework at all, but, alas, he is forced to do it and therefore he cannot go where he wants to go.

In this sense, have to is often used as a polite excuse for something in the spirit of “I’m very sorry, I would love to stay, but, alas, the stars have formed in such a way that I have to leave you ... but I really like you and, if if I had such an opportunity, I would have spent a lot of time with you, but alas ”-“ I'm very sorry, but I have to go.

MUST

Must is when you need it not because someone or something is forcing you. But because you yourself have decided so. Because it must be done in order to achieve some of your goals of a higher order. For example, you have decided for yourself that now you will get up early every day. Accordingly, you cannot stay for a late party.

In this case, say this: "I am sorry, but I must go." It means “sorry, but I have more important things to do. I have to go." This is a more rigid form, the previous one is more polite.

NEED

Need is a need. When you say "I need something", which means "I need in something". In the case of action, you need action. All in the same example: "I need to go" means "I need to go." This expression emphasizes your dependence on something. Roughly speaking, you want to get a job in a company. You need her, she doesn't need you. That's when you say "I need to join that company."

The difference from have to here is that no one and nothing forces you. You are simply in a low position.

SHOULD

Generally speaking, should is rarely used and is confused by many with must. However, there are differences between them, albeit subtle ones.

So, should means rather what you relies do something in accordance with your social role, status, position. For example, you can often hear the phrase "You shouldn't be doing that!". It means "You don't should do it!" This, for example, happens when a person climbs somewhere where he is not supposed to. For example, he enters the chief's office and rummages through his desk. Those. should is used when we are dealing with public perceptions of how you must act and how not.

Also, should is the designation of a sacred Duty. For example, in front of the Motherland or Senior. "I should join this war" - "My duty is to join this war."

CONCLUSION

Once again I remind you that all of the above are not rules, but nothing more than my personal observations. Works about 80% of the time. However, it is precisely the understanding of such subtleties that distinguishes a person who really knows the language from someone who knows it on paper. It is unlikely that ordinary teachers and teachers will explain this to you, you can check it 🙂

In English, the value of modal verbs (Modal verbs) is difficult to overestimate. In order to use them correctly, you need to remember a few simple rules.

So, I dedicate this article to the modal verbs have to, need to, should and ought to.

Modal verb have/has to.

Have/has to- "should/should". most often in colloquial English it is “have to” that is used. Used at all times. With the pronouns "I, you, we, they" you need to use "have", and with "he, she, it" use "has". This rule also applies to the following modal verb.

I have to feed my dog ​​in an hour.

(I have to feed my dog ​​in an hour)

She has to look after my kids during these two hours.

(She has to look after my children during those two hours)

Have/has got to- "should/should". In fact, there is no difference in meaning between "have got to" and "have to". But there is one feature. "Have got to" is used only in the affirmative form in the present tense. If you forget this rule and use it, for example, in an interrogative sentence, then this will be a gross mistake.

We have got to rest after this hard work.

(We must rest after this hard work)

Modal verb must.

Must- "should/should". The peculiarity of "must" is that it is a very formal verb. In everyday speech, it is not used, but "have (got) to" is used. That is, the word is suitable for official communications, for the speech of politicians, in official documentation, etc. And yet, "must" is used only in the present tense, but unlike "have got to", it can be used in both negative and interrogative sentences.

The whole world must do something to prevent global warming.

(The whole world should do something to prevent global warming)

Modal verb need to.

Need to- “need”, unlike the previous modal verbs, “need to” is a less “categorical” option. That is, you don't have to, you don't have to do something, you just have to do it.

Our company needs to hire some new employees.

(Our company needs to hire new employees)

The modal verb should.

Should- "should / should have, should." "Should" expresses:

1. Expressing an opinion;

I thing you should visit George before his departure.

(I think you should visit George before he leaves)

2. Expression of expectation;

His train should arrive soon.

(His train is due to arrive soon)

3. Regret about the past.

I should have guessed that he cheated on me.

(I should have guessed that he cheated on me)

P.S. In the future tense, you cannot use "will" together with "should", but it will be correct - "should be able to".

We should be able to achieve our goal.

(We must be able to reach our goal)

Right to- "should / should have, should." "Ought to" and "should" are the same thing, just "ought to" is the official version of "should".

Our manager ought to change his job.

(Our manager should change his job)

Now you know all modal verbs in English. Happy learning with us!

Modal verbs are verbs denoting physical or moral possibility, necessity, duty.

In other words, your attitude towards action:

• I can do it.
  I Can do it.
• I must do it.
  I must do it.
• I should do it.
  To me need to do it.

Need to remember features of modal verbs:

• No particle is used after modal verbs to
• Modal verbs independently form interrogative and negative forms
• Modal verbs can be used in the present tense when talking about the future.

Modal verb Can

Modal verb can expresses the ability or ability to perform an action.

I can, I can.

• I can run fast.
  I Can run fast.
• She can play piano.
  She can play the piano.

Modal verb Must

Modal verb must expresses an obligation, the need to perform an action due to certain circumstances, as well as an order or advice.

It is usually translated into Russian by the words must, must.

• You must help me.
  You must help me.
• I must read this book.
  I must read this book.

Modal verb Should

Modal verb should expresses the necessity, but not the obligation, to perform an action. Those. I need do something, but I don't have to do it.

It is usually translated into Russian by the word need to.

• I should discuss it with you.
  To me need to discuss this with you.
• I should read this book.
  To me need to read this book.

Interrogative form

When constructing a question, the modal verb placed at the beginning of the sentence.

• Can will you help me?
  Can will you help me?
• Can are you waiting for me?
  Can will you wait for me?

Negative form

In a negative sentence to a modal verb the particle not is added.

• Visitors must not park here.
  Visitors should not park here. (Visitors it is forbidden park here)
• He can not help me.
  He can not help me.