Grammar Notes

Point 1 : We use 'must' to stress necessity for very important things.

1. You must have a driving license before you take the car out.
2. Must I have a passport to travel abroad?
Point 2 : We use 'should' to make suggestions.
1. You should take some warm clothes.
2. You shouldnt forget to take a hat.
Point 3 : We use 'have to' for necessity and to stress a suggestion.
1. You have to get a visa. (necessity)
2. You have to get out of your room! (strong suggestion)
Point 4 : If a verb follows a modal verb, it will always be in the base form (V1).
1. You have to get a visa.
2. You should remember to see my aunt.

Suggestions with Modals of

Advice and Necessity

Whatever you call them (modals, modal verbs, auxiliaries, auxiliary

verbs, etc.),modals are one of the most difficult grammar points for students to

grasp. We have many categories of modals in English such as possibility, ability,

advice, and necessity, and within each category, we have many modals to
choose from. In our American Presidents lesson on Woodrow Wilson, there is
an exercise about modals for expressing suggestions. We decided it would be
helpful to blog about the modals should, ought to, had better, have got to,
have to, and must so that teachers could elaborate on the notes in the lesson.
Or you could use this tried-and-true method of presenting modals as a lesson
on its own, along with another textbook, or as a review anytime!

PATTERN & CHART

Remind students that the pattern for modals in English is:

A base verb is an infinitive verb without to. Point out that base verbs never have
any endings (no -s, -ed, -ing, etc.), so students dont have to worry about
subject-verb agreement. Make sure you stress to students that they should
never use to after a modalunless its a part of the modal expression.
(I.e.,You must take the exam is correct; You must to take the exam is
incorrect. Youhave to take the exam is correct; You have take the exam is
incorrect.) I always tell my students that for a modal expression that
includes to (such as have to), think of to as part of the modal expression and not
as part of an infinitive verb (i.e., have to + base verb, not have + infinitive verb).
Its easier for students to remember to never use an infinitive verb with a
modal (but theyll have to remember that some modal expressions include to).

Next, write this suggestion scale chart on the board. Its always helpful when
students can visualize where the modals belong in relation to one

another.

SHOULD, OUGHT TO

SHOULD: Using the modal of advice should is the most common way to
suggest something to someone in English. The pattern is should + base verb.
The negative form, should not, often gets contracted to shouldnt.
Examples:
o You should tell your boss about the report.
o They should start getting ready to go because the bus leaves at 4:00.
o She shouldnt smoke outside because people are eating on the patio
nearby.
OUGHT TO: Ought to is a modal expression that sounds a bit stuffy these days.
I always tell my students that though they may occasionally see it in textbooks or
in writing, they should avoid using ought to + base verbthemselves because
its pretty old-fashioned. Some people would argue thatought to is a bit stronger
of a suggestion than should, but Id argue that the difference isnt important,

especially since its not commonly used nowadays. As a general overview (in
case students come across it), you may want to mention that in spoken
English, ought to is usually shortened to /aw-da/, and that the negative
expression ought not to is even less common and best avoided altogether.
Example:
o You ought to show your report card to your parents.
HAD BETTER

Use had better + base verb to make a stronger suggestion than should. This
modal of advice is used when someone thinks the other person really should
follow the suggestion, implying that there will be more serious consequences if
the advice isnt taken. Had better is a modal expression that is often contracted
to d better. The negative form, had better not, is also often contracted
to d better not.
Examples:
o We had better let someone know about the problem.
o Hed better study for the test because hes failing the class.
o Id better not eat another cookie because Im on a diet.
MUST, HAVE TO, HAVE GOT TO

The modals of necessity/obligation must, have to, and have got to have
essentially the same meaning and are all used to denote a strong suggestion.

MUST: Must + base verb is a little more formal and is often used in written
English (e.g., this modal would appear on a sign listing out rules). The negative
form is must not. While the contraction mustnt is possible, it isnt commonly
used nowadays and has a stuffy feel to it. I tell my students to avoid it. Dont
forget to remind students that cant/cannot is a modal with basically the same
meaning as must notboth are common.
Examples:
o You must remove your jacket and shoes when going through airport
security.
o We must register for the conference before we can attend any sessions.
o You must not/cant use a pen. All answers must be written with a
pencil.
HAVE TO: Have to + base verb is a little more informal and is often used in
spoken English and informal writing. Note that this is one modal expression that
does have subject-verb agreement. Third person singular pronouns, singular
count nouns, and non-count nouns will all use has to + base verb. Point out to
students that the contractions ve to and s to are never possible. The negative
forms, do not have to and does not have to, are often contracted to dont have
to and doesnt have to. I always point out that in speaking, have to is often
reduced to hafta and has to is often pronounced hasta.
Examples:
o You have to call your friend tonight. Its her birthday and shell kill you if
you forget.

o She has to bring her own skis because there isnt anywhere to rent
them.
o I told my roommate that he doesnt have to pay for groceries this week
because I owe him money.
HAVE GOT TO: Have got to + base verb is an very old expression in English
that is still commonly used nowadays. It is even more informal than have toand
is commonly used in spoken English and informal writing. Note that this is
another modal expression that has subject-verb agreement. Third person
singular pronouns, singular count nouns, and non-count nouns will all usehas
got to + base verb. The negative forms have not got to and has not got
toare never used (do not have to and does not have to can be used instead).
The contractions ve got to and s got to are common in writing, and in speaking,
the reduced forms ve gotta and s gotta are very common.
Examples:
o You have got to remember to do your report tonight. Its due tomorrow
morning.
o Our teacher has got to grade a lot of papers tonight. We need them
back to study for the test.
o Shes got to go to the doctors right after class.
If your students are still confused, they should / had better / have to / have got to
/ must study more!