English — Grammar: Modal Verbs (must, have to, should, ought to) — 2nd Year Middle School — Algerian Curriculum

Modal Verbs for Obligation and Advice

Modal verbs are special verbs that express necessity, obligation, advice, or permission. They are followed by the base form of the verb.

Must and Have to (Obligation)

Must: strong obligation from the speaker. ‘You must wear a seatbelt.’ (It’s the law/I say so). Have to: external obligation. ‘I have to wear a uniform at school.’ (It’s a rule). Past: ‘had to’. ‘I had to stay at home yesterday.’

Mustn’t vs Don’t have to

Mustn’t: prohibition (it’s forbidden). ‘You mustn’t smoke in hospital.’ Don’t have to: no obligation (it’s not necessary). ‘You don’t have to come if you don’t want to.’

Should and Ought to (Advice)

Should / ought to = it’s a good idea. ‘You should see a doctor.’ ‘You ought to study more.’ They are less strong than ‘must’.

Exercises

Choose the correct modal: 1- You (must/should) brush your teeth before bed. 2- Students (mustn’t/don’t have to) run in the corridors. 3- You (should/have to) try this cake—it’s delicious!

📍 دروس مشابهة

• English — Writing: Writing a Persuasive Essay (opinion, arguments, conclusion) — 3rd Year Literary Stream — Algeria
• English — Grammar: The Conditional (Second and Third Conditionals) — 3rd Year Literary Stream — Algeria