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Modals — Advice
Ch 1
Modals — Obligation and Advice
Should, ought to, had better for giving and receiving advice.
need to, needn't, don't have to, should
B1 Pre-intermediate
Modals: Obligation and Advice
need to, needn't, don't have to, should
need to
Important but not a law - personal necessity
have to
Rule or law - external obligation
don't have to / needn't
No obligation - not necessary
should / shouldn't
Advice - right or wrong thing to do
No obligation - three ways
I
don't have to
work on Sundays.
Not required - but I can if I want.
You
needn't
pay for your food.
Not necessary - I am paying.
You
don't need to
bring anything.
Same meaning - slightly more informal.
Don't have to, needn't and don't need to all mean it is NOT necessary, but it is allowed.
Need to vs Have to
need to - personal importance
You
need to be
careful with your passport.
Important but ultimately your choice.
have to - rule or law
You
have to show
your passport at the airport.
Legal requirement - no choice.
Common mistakes
Where learners go wrong most often
You should to study more.
→
You
should study
more.
No 'to' after modal verbs
You don't should do that.
→
You
shouldn't
do that.
Don't + modal is wrong: use modal + n't
He needs study harder.
→
He
needs to
study harder.
"Need to" requires to; modal "need" does not
Summary
need to / have to
Necessary - something that must be done
don't have to / needn't
Not necessary - no obligation
should / shouldn't
Advice - the right or wrong thing to do
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