Modal Verbs - How to Use Must, Have to and Should - English Grammar Lesson

Summary

This Oxford Online English lesson clarifies the use of 'must', 'have to', and 'should'. 'Must' denotes personal obligation or strong advice, often formal in speech but common in writing. 'Have to' reflects situational obligations, prevalent in conversation and informal writing. 'Should' offers advice or opinions, with 'mustn’t' and 'don’t have to' indicating prohibition and non-necessity, respectively. The lesson distinguishes nuances between these modal verbs, guiding English learners to use them correctly in various contexts.

Takeaways

• 📚 Must and have to are used for talking about obligations, but they carry different nuances.
• 🤔 'Must' is more personal and expresses a sense of necessity from the speaker's perspective.
• 🏢 'Have to' is situational, indicating an obligation due to external circumstances or rules.
• 🗣️ 'Must' is less common in spoken English, while 'have to' is more frequently used in everyday conversation.
• 📝 In formal or written English, 'must' is often used to express obligations, such as in signs or official instructions.
• 🚫 'Must not' and 'don’t have to' have distinct meanings; 'must not' indicates prohibition, whereas 'don’t have to' suggests optionality.
• 🤷‍♂️ 'Should' is used to give advice or express opinions, rather than to denote obligations or rules.
• 🌟 When giving advice, 'must' or 'have to' can convey stronger feelings or emphasis than 'should'.
• 🚫 For negative advice, only 'shouldn’t' is used, not 'mustn’t' or 'don’t have to'.
• 📉 'Must' and 'have to' can also express probability and certainty, though this video focused on obligations and advice.
• 🔍 For further practice and resources, Oxford Online English offers scripts and quizzes on their website.

Q & A

What are the three modal verbs discussed in the lesson?

The three modal verbs discussed in the lesson are 'must', 'have to', and 'should'.

How are 'must' and 'have to' used to talk about obligations?

Both 'must' and 'have to' are used to express obligations, but 'must' is used for personal obligations that you feel are necessary and important, while 'have to' is used for situational obligations that come from external circumstances.

What is the difference between using 'must' and 'have to' in spoken English?

In spoken English, 'have to' is used more frequently than 'must' for obligations. 'Must' can sound very formal and strange in spoken English, whereas 'have to' is more conversational.

When should 'must' be used in written English according to the lesson?

'Must' can be used in written English when you are writing something formal, such as rules or instructions.

What does 'must not' or 'mustn’t' signify in English?

'Must not' or 'mustn’t' signifies that something is forbidden or not allowed to be done.

How is 'don’t have to' different from 'must not'?

'Don’t have to' indicates that something is not necessary and the person has a choice, whereas 'must not' indicates that something is forbidden and cannot be done.

What is the primary use of 'should' in English?

'Should' is used to give advice or express an opinion, suggesting a course of action that is not obligatory but recommended.

Can 'should' be used to talk about obligations or rules?

No, 'should' cannot be used to talk about obligations or rules. It is used for giving advice or expressing opinions where there is a choice involved.

What is the difference between giving advice with 'should' and with 'must' or 'have to'?

Giving advice with 'must' or 'have to' is stronger and more emphatic than with 'should', indicating a higher level of importance or enthusiasm about the advice given.

Why is 'shouldn’t' the only option for giving negative advice?

'Shouldn’t' is the only option for giving negative advice because it expresses a recommendation against a certain action, while 'mustn’t' and 'don’t have to' have different meanings related to prohibition and non-necessity, respectively.

How can these modal verbs also be used in addition to talking about obligations and advice?

These modal verbs can also be used to express probability and certainty, although the focus of the lesson was on obligations and advice.