Lesson_Modals of Obligation

Modals of Obligation

Good morning, everyone! Let's do away with the usual PowerPoint slides.

MODALS IN THE PRESENT TENSE

with POSITIVE and NEGATIVE meaning

have to and don't have to

• indicates strong obligation

• Indicates NO obligation 

must and mustn't (probably from the speaker's point of view)

• indicates strong obligation

• indicates negative obligation

should and shouldn't

• indicates mild obligation or advice 

• indicates mild negative obligation or advice 

MODALS IN THE PAST TENSE

with POSITIVE and NEGATIVE meaning

had to and didn't have to

• Indicates obligation in the past 

• Indicates NO obligation in the past

must / should have + past participle / shouldn't have + past participle (changes to had to)

• indicates a past action which didn't happen: the advice or the regret is too late

• indicates a past action which didn't happen: the advice or the regret is too late