GRAMMAR REVIEW

When we want to express permission, prohibition (not allowing something),

obligation or no obligation we use modal verbs.

Permission can, may, could

'Can' is most often used to ask for or give permission but 'may' and 'could' are
also possible even though they are not used as often as 'can'.

Can I borrow a pen?

You can sit here, the seat is free.
Could I open the window?
May I ask a question?

Prohibition
'Can't' is used to show that something is prohibited (not allowed)
You can't go into that restaurant without a tie.
You can't drive in this country unless you are over eighteen.
'Can't' usually gives the idea of something that is against the rules.

Obligation
'Have to' and 'must' are both used to express obligation. There is a slight
difference in the way that they are both used.
'Have to' shows that the obligation comes from someone else, not the speaker.
This is usually referring to a rule or law.
We have to be at the airport at least two hours before the flight.
I have to work on Saturday.
They have to wear their uniforms at school.
'Must' shows us that the obligation comes from the speaker.
I must hand in my thesis by tomorrow.
I really must call my parents.

Here is an example of the difference between 'have to' and 'must':

My doctor said that I have to stop smoking or I'll risk serious problems. (I have
no choice)
I must stop smoking. Its costing me too much money. (its my decision)

We use 'don't have to' to show that there is no obligation. You can do
something if you want but it is not an obligation.
You don't have to wear a tie to go to that restaurant but it would be nice.
You didn't have to call for me. I could have got a taxi.
Students don't have to wear uniforms to school.
 PRACTICE

Now choose the correct verb for these sentences:

1. You ___ come to the meeting but it would help us all if youre there.
don't have to
mustn't

2. I cant get a connection on my phone. ___ I borrow yours?

have to
can

3. The rules say that you ___ only invite one guest to the club.
have to
can

4. I ___ stay on for a few hours because Id rather work late today than
over the weekend.
must
have to

5. Theres a lot of noise coming from outside. ___ I close the window?
Could
Must

6. You ___ start saving money if you want to retire early.

have to
can

7. Did they tell you that you ___ come into this area. Its restricted to
staff only.
can't
don't have to

8. We ___ be there fifteen minutes before the concert starts.

have to
can
 should/ought to/had better
There are 3 auxiliary verbs that you can use for give advices. They are:
should, ought to, y had better.

You should put cool water on a burn.

You ought to put cool water on a burn.
You had better put cool water on a burn.

Los tres quieren decir "deber" pero "had better"es mas fuerte porque
implica una mala consequencia si no sigues el consejo. Otra diferencia es que
generalmente no se usa ought to o had better con preguntas.

Should I put cool water on a burn?

Ought I to put cool water on a burn?
Had better I put cool water on a burn?

Hay una diferencia en la forma negativa tambin. Se puede hacer una

contraccin nada ms con el verbo should. Tambin nota la posicin de not.
Va despues de "should" y "had better" pero en medio de "ought" y "to"
("ought not to").

Oracin Negativa Contraccin

You should not put hot water on a You shouldn't put hot water on a
burn. burn.

You ought not to put hot water on a

(No hay contraccin.)
burn.

You had better not put hot water

(No hay contraccin.)
on a burn.
 PRACTICE

WRITE THE SENTENCES FOR GIVE ADVICE WITH THE

INFORMATION

1. What should I do if someone is bleeding a lot? (should/apply a

bandage and put pressure on the wound)

I should apply a bandage and put pressure on the wound

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2. What should I do if someone is choking and can't breathe? (had
better/do abdominal thrusts)

I had better do abdominal thrusts

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3. What should I do if someone has a sprain? (ought to/put ice and a

bandage on the joint)

I ought to put ice and a bandage on the joint

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4. What should I do if someone has a bee sting? (had better/remove the
stinger)

I had better remove the stinger

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5. What should I do if someone goes into shock? (ought to/lay the
victim on his back and elevate his legs)

I ought to lay the victim on his back and elevate his legs
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