Modals: must, have to, should, should have


Should

We use "should" to give, or ask for, advice or an opinion in the present:

Form

We use "should" / "shouldn't" + the infinitive of the main verb (without "to")

Example

I
You
He, She, It
We
They
should do more exercise.
get a new car.
shouldn't
(should not)
smoke.
spend so much money.

Should I
you
he / she / it
we
they
get more qualifications?
wear something different?

Should have

We use "should have" to give, or ask for, an opinion in the present about something which happened in the past:

Form

We use "should" / "shouldn't have" + the past participle of the main verb

Example

I
You
He / She / It
We
They
should have taken a taxi.
shouldn't have written that comment.

Should I
you
he / she / it
we
they
have worked overtime?

Practice

Give or ask for advice using the verb in brackets:

.
1)
He    the position. (accept)

 
2)
You    mobile phones in the classroom. (not allow)

 
3)
   we    that we cheated? (admit)

 
4)
They    work early yesterday. (not leave)

 

Have to

"Have to" is used to show that a person is obliged to do something, usually by an outside force, have to can also be used to give your opinion:
The negative form, "don't" / "doesn't" / "didn't have to", means that you are not obliged to do something.

Form

The present simple of "have" + "to" + infinitive (without "to")
or
The past simple of 'have' + to + infinitive (without to)

Example

I
You
We
They
have to leave the house early to catch the bus.
care for the children.
He / She / It has to
I
You
We
They
don't have to leave the house early to catch the bus.
care for the children.
He / She / It doesn't have to

Do I
you
we
they
have to work on Saturday?
Does he / she / it attend the conference?

I
You
He / She / It
We
They
had to leave the house early to catch the bus.
care for the children.
I
You
He / She / It
We
They
didn't have to leave the house early to catch the bus.
care for the children.

Did I
you
he / she / it
we
they
have to work on Saturday?
attend the conference?

Practice

Give or ask for advice using the verb in brackets:

.
1)
You    to the internet to send an email. (connect)

 
2)
Adrian    every weekend unless he wants to. (not train)

 
3)
   you    your passport at the border? (show)

 
4)
Amy    30 hours a week last year. (teach)

 

Must

"Must" is also used to talk about obligation and is used in written rules and instructions: "Must" is also used to give a strong recommendation:
The negative form, "mustn't" ("must not"), means that you are obliged or recommended not to do something.

Form

"must" or "mustn't" ("must not") + the infinitive of the verb (without "to")

Example

I
You
He / She / It
We
They
must
mustn't
report the theft to the police immediately.
forget to transfer the money.

Must I
you
he / she / it
we
they
go?

While questions with "must" are grammatically correct, it is more usual nowadays to use "have to" for questions.

There is no past form of must for obligation:

Practice

Give or ask for advice using the verb in brackets:

.
1)
You    late for the train. (not be)

 
2)
We    their wedding anniversary. (celebrate)

 
3)
You    the application form in black ink. (complete)

 
4)
He    his dog chew the furniture. (not let)

 

Further practice

Choose the correct answer to complete the sentence: a, b, c or d.
.
1)
You ____ remember to close the windows when you leave the house.
 

 

2)
You ____ eat fast food every day. It’s very bad for you.
 

 

3)
Maria ____ the operation but she was too scared. Now she’s very ill.
 

 

4)
Juan ____ visit Prague once a month for meetings, but he enjoys it.
 

 

5)
You ____ perform that song. It’s offensive.
 

 

6)
You ____ come with me. I’m happy to go alone.
 

 


Create a free Getting Started account


Related links

The following exercises include use of this grammar structure:
 
 You might also be interested in:
 

Vocabulary
 

Vocabulary


Vocabulary exercises:Expand your vocabulary using our three vocabulary trainers:Practice your spelling using our three spelling tests:Practice vocabulary relating to graphs and charts:
Learn vocabulary
Reading exercises
 

Reading exercises



Improve your reading skills:
 
Go to reading exercises
Video lessons
 

Video lessons


Focus on specific areas of business English using our video lessons:
 
Take a video lesson