Must / Have To (Obligation)
Use 'must' and 'have to' to express obligation or necessity. 'Mustn't' means something is forbidden, while 'don't have to' means there is no obligation.
Level B1
Modals
Summary
- Use 'must' and 'have to' to express obligation or necessity. 'Mustn't' means something is forbidden, while 'don't have to' means there is no obligation.
Structure
subject + must/have to + base verb
Examples
- You must wear a seatbelt in the car.
- I have to work on Saturday this week.
- You mustn't smoke in here.
- You don't have to come if you're busy.
Common mistakes
- • Don't confuse 'mustn't' and 'don't have to': 'mustn't' = forbidden, 'don't have to' = not necessary.
- • Use 'had to' for the past: NOT 'I must go yesterday' → 'I had to go yesterday.'
More modals
Can / Could (Ability and Permission)
A2
Use 'can' for present ability and informal permission or requests. Use 'could' for past ability and for more polite requests.
May / Might (Possibility)
B1
Use 'may' and 'might' to talk about present or future possibility. 'May' is also used for formal permission.
Would for Past Habits
B2
Use 'would' to talk about repeated past actions and habits, similar to 'used to'. Unlike 'used to', 'would' is not normally used for past states.
Would (Polite Requests and Hypotheticals)
B1
Use 'would' for polite requests and offers, for hypothetical results (especially in conditionals), and to describe imagined situations.
Can and Can't for Ability
A1
Use 'can' to say someone is able to do something and 'can't' for inability. 'Can' is followed by the base form of the verb and stays the same for all subjects.
Should for Advice
A2
Use 'should' to give advice or say what is the right thing to do. 'Shouldn't' advises against something. It is followed by the base form of the verb.