Modals, (permission, advice, obligation, prohibition)

modals

​By Richard Cruz

Modals...

• Modals are special auxiliary verbs that show ability, possibility, necessity, permission, or obligation.

  
  They are always followed by the base form of the main verb

  (without to). 

  • Ability: She can play the charango.

  • Possibility: It might rain in La Paz today.

permission

• can (informal permission)

• could (more polite / formal)

• may (most formal / official)

• ​"Can I buy a salteña during the break?"

• "Could I leave class earlier to catch the trufi?"

• "May I speak to the director about the science fair?"

Multiple Select

check all possible when asking permission

___ I borrow a pen?

• should

• can

• may

• must

advice

• Should (positive advice) Shouldn’t (negative advice) Should (question – asking for advice)

• Ought to (similar to should, a bit more formal)

• Had better (strong advice, warning of negative consequence)

• Must (strong advice, almost an obligation)

• Have to (advice that sounds like a necessity)

• ​"You should visit the Salar de Uyuni; it’s one of the most beautiful places in Bolivia."

• "You had better carry a jacket when you visit La Paz, because the weather changes fast."

• "You must try salteñas if you come to Sucre."

• "You have to see the Carnaval de Oruro at least once in your life."

Multiple Choice

You're going to miss the school bus. You ________ hurry.

• shouldn't

• had better

• had better not

• oughtn't to

Multiple Choice

A: Alice is 80 kilos and she still eats junk food. B: I think she ________ go on a diet.

• should

• shouldn't

• oughtn't

• had better not

obligation

• must (strong obligation / rule, usually official)

• have to (obligation, often external / situation demands it)

• should (weaker obligation / recommendation, advice)

• "Students must wear the school uniform during the Independence Day parade."

• "I have to take the trufi early, because traffic in La Paz is terrible in the morning."

• "You should try api with pastel when you visit Cochabamba."

Had to

• stated in the past

• "Yesterday I had to wait two hours in the trufi because of the traffic in La Paz."

Fill in the Blanks

is sometimes called as an "external obligation"

prohibition

• can't (general prohibition, informal but clear)

• must not/mustn't (strong prohibition, rule / law)

• should not/shouldn't (advice against doing something, weaker prohibition)

• "You can’t eat salteñas inside the library."

• "Students must not use their cell phones during the flag ceremony."

• "You shouldn’t drink "mocochinchi" while walking in the classroom."

Multiple Choice

'mustn't' is not a modal

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

The word must from the comic strip means something:

• recommended

• necessary

• not necessary

• prohibited

Multiple Choice

The word should from the comic strip means something:

• recommended

• necessary

• not necessary

• prohibited

Multiple Choice

"You musn't use your cellphone in the cinema."

The word mustn't means something:

• recommended

• necessary

• not necessary

• prohibited

Multiple Choice

"You must have a driver's license to drive a car."

The word must means something:

• recommended

• necessary

• not necessary

• prohibited

Multiple Choice

"We don't have to call our friends every day."

The expression don't have to means something?

• recommended

• necessary

• not necessary

• prohibited

Multiple Choice

"You shouldn't go to bed late because you have a test tomorrow morning."

The word shouldn't means something:

• recommended

• necessary

• not necessary

• prohibited

Multiple Choice

You ______ wear a seat belt when you drive.

• must

• shouldn't

• should

• don't have to

Multiple Choice

You ______ call Mary. I know she misses you a lot.

• must

• shouldn't

• should

• don't have to

Multiple Choice

I can't go to the movies with you, because I ______ take care of my sister.

• shouldn't

• should

• have to

Multiple Choice

I ______ return this book to the library today.

• must

• shouldn't

• should

• have to

Multiple Choice

People ______ drink lots of water every day.

• shouldn't

• should

• don't have to

Multiple Choice

People ______ drink lots of water every day.

• must

• shouldn't

• should

• don't have to

Multiple Choice

People under 18 ______ travel alone.

• mustn't

• shouldn't

• should

• don't have to

Multiple Choice

Kids ______ drink coffee. It's not good for them.

• mustn't

• shouldn't

• should

• don't have to

Modals...

• are auxiliary verbs that are used with main verbs to give advice and express ideas like ability, necessity, possibility, 

Multiple Choice

You ______ be 18 years old to vote.

• mustn't

• must

• should

• don't have to

Must not

• talk about what is not permitted

• common on public signs and notices informing people of rules and laws

• particularly when the prohibition comes from the speaker.

Multiple Choice

I ______ finish this report by 5p.m.

• mustn't

• should

• have to

obligation

• must

• have to

• should