Should

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

• "I have a terrible stomachache." "You should go to the doctor's."
• "I haven’t heard from my father." "You should call him."
• "She's not happy with the salary offered." "She shouldn't accept the job."

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?

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Should have

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

• "I had a terrible stomachache." "You should have gone to the doctor’s."
• "I didn’t hear from my father last week." "You should have called him."
• "She isn't happy with the salary she’s getting." "She shouldn't have accepted the job."

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?

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Practice

Give or ask for advice using the verb in brackets:

• He the position. (accept)
   
• You mobile phones in the classroom. (not allow)
   
• we that we cheated? (admit)
   
• They work early yesterday. (not leave)
   

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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:

• You have to show your passport at passport control.
  (It’s the law.)
• Jenny has to do homework every evening.
  (Her parents told her to do her homework.)
• Tom had to work late last night.
  (He hadn't finished his work)
• You have to tell him!
  (That's my (strong) opinion)
• You don’t have to eat that if you don’t like it.
  (I am not obliging you to eat it)

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:

• You to the internet to send an email. (connect)
   
• Adrian every weekend unless he wants to. (not train)
   
• you your passport at the border? (show)
   
• Amy 30 hours a week last year. (teach)
   

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Must

"Must" is also used to talk about obligation and is used in written rules and instructions:

• You must submit your proposal by noon on 12th July.
• You must not use a calculator during the exam.

"Must" is also used to give a strong recommendation:

• You must tell him before it's too late.
• You mustn't be late for work on your first day.

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:

• We had to show our passports at the border.
• We weren’t allowed to use calculators in the exam.
  Or, we couldn’t use calculators in the exam.

Practice

Give or ask for advice using the verb in brackets:

• You late for the train. (not be)
   
• We their wedding anniversary. (celebrate)
   
• You the application form in black ink. (complete)
   
• He his dog chew the furniture. (not let)
   

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Further practice

Choose the correct answer to complete the sentence: a, b, c or d.

• You ____ remember to close the windows when you leave the house.


mustn't don't have to must shouldn't



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


must have to don't have to shouldn't



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


should have should have had must have had must have



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


has to should have have to should



• You ____ perform that song. It’s offensive.


should have mustn't don't have to should 



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


must should have don't have to mustn't have

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