Lesson 21 · Lesson guide
Modals of Obligation and Advice
Hello, my dear student!
Welcome to Module 3! Its theme is health: diet, exercise, sleep and medicine. We start with the grammar you need to give rules and advice.
Task 2 essays about health almost always ask “What can be done?”, and a strong answer is full of recommendations: “Governments should…”, “Schools ought to…”, “People need to…”. In Speaking, the examiner may ask what you should do to stay healthy, or what you had to do when you were ill.
The biggest trap is a small one: “mustn’t” and “don’t have to” look similar, but they mean completely different things. By the end of this lesson you will never mix them up.
See you in the exercises,Your teacher
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Rules and advice
Necessary
must, have to, need to
All three mean it is necessary. Must has no past: use had to. Future: will have to. Question: Do you have to…?
- Doctors must wash their hands.
- Nurses have to work at night.
- Yesterday I had to wait two hours.
Not allowed or not necessary
mustn’t vs don’t have to
mustn’t = do not do it. don’t have to / don’t need to / needn’t = you can if you want, but it is not necessary.
- You mustn’t smoke in the hospital.
- You don’t have to bring food. Lunch is free.
Advice
should, ought to
should / ought to + verb (no to after should). In essays they make polite, clear recommendations.
- You should drink more water.
- Governments ought to tax sugary drinks.
Remember!
mustn’t = not allowed. don’t have to = not necessary. should = a good idea.
Recommendations for Task 2
Governments should…
Schools ought to…
People need to…
It is essential that…
Parents should not…
Common mistakes
Not: You must to wear a mask.Say: You must wear a mask.
must / should + verb, no to.
Not: Yesterday I must stay at home.Say: Yesterday I had to stay at home.
must has no past form → had to.
Not: You mustn’t pay. It’s free.Say: You don’t have to pay. It’s free.
Not necessary → don’t have to.
Check yourself
“You ___ park here. It’s for ambulances.” mustn’t or don’t have to?
What is the past of “must”?
Now it’s your turn!
8 short parts, each a little harder than the one before. Take your time: mistakes are how we learn.
— Your teacher