Expressing obligation

When it is necessary or obligatory to do something, you

should express obligation
1. Obligation in the present
have to/must
Example
 I have to finish my homework before this evening.
 I have got to learn English if I wish to live in USA.
 I must see the doctor soon because I do/t feel well.
 It is obligatory that I stop when the traffic light turns
red.
 It is necessary that I take a taxi. I’m late.
2. Obligation in the past
Had to
Example
I had to work extra hours to pay my bill.
3. Obligation in the future
Example
I will have to borrow money.
Things to remember:
1. The difference between “have to” and “must” is that
“have to” indicates that someone has imposed
conditions on us.
2. The simple past of “must” is “ had to”.
3. The simple future of “must” is “will have to”
4. “should” also express obligation. But there is a
difference must/have to and should
“must”/”have to” =100% obligation
• “When the traffic light turns red, you must stop”.
“should” -50% obligation. It is more an advice than an
obligation.
• “you look tired. You should have a rest”.
Example of dialog.
Policeman : Don’t you know that you must stop
when the traffic lights are red?
Driver : Sorry, sir. I was so absent-minded
that I didn’t pay attention to the traffic lights.
Policeman : Well, sir. You’ll have to pay a fine.
Some examples of Expression of Obligation
 All students must obey the school rule.
 If you want to pass the exam, you must study
hard.
 You’re sick. You have to see a doctor.
 Your mother said that you had to go home.
Some examples of non obligation
• I don’t have to go home soon.
• The workers must not have lunch at the canteen.
• The child does not have to do all the homework
by herself.
 Must : Usage
1. Must expresses an obligation imposed by the speaker.
Example :
• You must finish your food. (an obligation put a mother to her son)
• I must finish my homework. (It is important I finish my homework)
• You must follow me. (you don’t know the way)
• We must leave early. (otherwise we will miss the train)
2. We use must to express strong advice.
Example :
Teacher : You must do your homework or you’ll fail.
3. We usually use “have to” when asking question, NOT “must”
Example :
Do we have to finish the food?
4. “Musn’t “ expresses prohibtion. It means that something is not
allowed or should not be done.
Example :
Children must not swim in the deep water.
You must not smoke in the gas station.
You mustn’t park in the area of “NO PARKING”.
 Have to
……….
Subject Have to Verb1 Negative
I Have to Work All night Don’t have
You Have to Come On time Doesn’t have to
We Have to Fill out A form “Had to” is the past
form of “have to”

They Have to Pay taxes The negative

form of “had to”
is “ didn’t have
to”
He Has to finish The meal
She Has to Study For her exam
It Has to Stay there
Do/Does Subject Have to Verb + …?
Do I Have to Call …?

Do You Have to Go…?

Do We Have to Wear..?

Do They Have to Be …?

Does He Have to Paint ..?

Does She Have to Clear …?

Does It Have to Have …?

 Short Answer Long answer
Yes, You do Yes, I Have to work all
night.
No, I don’t No, I don’t have to…
Yes, We do Yes, We have to…
No, They Don’t No, They don’t have
to…
No, He Doesn’t No, He doesn’t have to
Yee, She does Yes, She has to …
No, It Doesn’t No, It doesn’t have to
 Usage
“Have to” expresses a strong obligation imposed by
authority
Example
You have to stop when the traffic lights turn red.
All citizen have to pay taxes.
“have to” is more common in spoken English.

Comparison of HAVE TO and MUST

Have to Must
The obligation is imposed by a third The obligation is mpsed by ‘YOU’ OR
person or by rules. It expresses what THE SPEAKER. It is personal
objectively necessary.
“Have to”
Example
• I have to get up early. (because I go to work at
7 a.m)
• A policeman has to wear a uniform. (because
it is a rule)
“Must”
Example : I must get up early. ( I will go fishing in
the morning.)
You must wear a fancy dress to the paerty.
 Exercise
Fill in the blanks with “have to”
1. Children have to start school when they are
five.
2. How old …. you … be to drive in your
country?
3. In some countries, every teenager… do
military service.
4. ….you … have your parents permission to get
married.
5. … everyone …have a driving license?
Note :
“Don’t have to” expresses the idea that something is not
necessary.
Example :
You don’t have to come early. We won’t leave till ten.

Comparison between “Don’t have to”with “Mustn’t”

Don’t Have to Mustn’t
You don’t need to do it It is essential that you
don’t do it
Example : You don’t have Example : You mustn’t use
to polish your shoes . They brown polish on your
look clean black shoes . It looks
awful.
 Exercise
Fill the blanks with the negative form of “have to”
1. Most vegetable can be eaten row. You …cook them.
2. She …have a heavy lunch. She can have a sandwich
if she likes.
3. You … take off your shoes for the dance.
4. I … to give you Susi’s address. You know it already.
5. The boss says we … finish the job today. We can do
it tomorrow.
6. You … write her a note. I’ll give her your message.
 Exercise
Complete the sentence with don’t have, doesn’t have
to, mustn’t, or have to
1. Kirsten, you … say such things. That is very unkind of you.
2. In the army, soldiers … wear uniform.
3. In most schools, teachers … wear uniform.
4. Mrs. Garcia is very rich … She works for a living.
5. The food is too hot. You … eat it yet. Wait a few second for
it to cool.
6. I …. get early, because I have an appointment with the
mayor at 8:00.
7. Children … play with matches. It is dangerous.
8. I finish all of my homework this afternoon. I … do anything
tonight.
9. I …. Study tonight I have an exam tomorrow.
 Exercise
Match the following statement
1. The show will start in few minute a. I must clean the house
2. I have guests today b. I must buy some eggs.
3. You are sick c. You must hand in your paper now.
4. The road has many sharp curves. d. Must hurry
5. I want to make an omelet. e. You must drive carefully
6. This book is overdue. f. I must find my suitcase.
7. He has a high blood pressure g. You must rest.
8. I’m going on a trip. h. You must lost weight and eat
cholesterol free food.

9. Your time Is up. i. I must return it to the library.

 Complete the sentence using You + mustn’t and the
verbs in the box
You Must Help
Must not Talk
Smoke
Buy
Walk
Be
Fasten
Cheat
See
Go to bed
 Con’d
1. _________ the doctor if you feel sick.
2. _________ a present for mother’s day
3. _________ early so you can get up early.
4. _________ on the grass.
5. _________ loudly in the cinema.
6. ________ in a closed room.
7. ________ others
8. ________ your seat belt when you are driving.
9. __________ in exams.
10. _________ polite to old people.
 Should
Subject Should Verb Object Adverb
I Should Pay The bill Today Negative
You Should Go Home Now Should not
He Should Come Early Negative
contraction =
Everyone Should Be Here by four Shouldn’t
It Should Be enough
We Should Save Water
They Should Work Faster
The Should Finish Their
students work
Should Subject Verb ………?
Should I See …...?
Should You Use ……?
Should He Read ……?
Should She Write ……?
Should It Have ……?
Should We Pay ……?
Should They Make ……?
Short Answer Long Answer
Yes, you should Yes, you should see …
No, I shouldn’t No, you shouldn’t use…
Yes, he should Yes, he should read ….
Yes, she should Yes, she should write …
No, it shouldn’t No, it shouldn’t have ….
No, we shouldn’t No, we shouldn’t pay …
No, they shouldn’t No, they shouldn’t
make …
 Usage
We do not change the form of the verb when we
use should. We use the base form of the verb.
Example
I should take some medicine.
She should do her homework now.
He shouldn’t be late for the class.
We should help father.
They shouldn’t tell lies.
You should visit your grandparents.
1. Should express advice. The speaker state an opinion or
advice regarding what should or should not be done.
Example
• You should study if you want to pass the exam. ( It’s good for
you to study)
• He should not eat so much. (It’s bad for him to eat too much)
• Scott and Zaldo should go on holiday. They worked very hard
last year. ( It will be good for them to go on holiday)
• Carol and Ann shouldn’t go to the movies. They have an exam
tomorrow, (It’s not good for then to go to the movie)
 Comparison of Should and Must
Should Must
It is idea to do It is important to do
something but you something
do not have to do it.
You are advised to It is very necessary.
do this but you have You do not have any
other alternatives. other alternatives.
Example
Should
• I should pay the bill today. (I
can pay it the day after
tomorrow as well.)
• You should take your
umbrella ( it is not raining,
but it is cloudy. It could rain
today.)
• He should buy an extra key
for the door. (we may need
it)
Example
Must
 I must pay the bill today. ( it
is the last day to pay it.)
 You must take your
umbrella ( it is raining
outside or it will definitely
rain.)
 We must buy a new key (we
have lost the key)
 Respond A. Use “should” and the
expression in the box.
Go on diet 1. A : I don’t have any money.
B : _____________
go to the bank 2. A : I have toothache.
See a dentist B : ______________
3. A : I’m having a problem with my cat.
hurry B : ____________________
go to a parking lot 4. A : He is overweight
B : ___________________
Take it to the 5. A : I can’t find a place to park my car.
mechanic B : ___________________
6. A : I just bought a car
Get car insurance
B : _________________________
Call the police 7. A : I’m late
B : ________________
8. A Look! Two men are fighting outside,
B : ____________________________
 Read the situation, and make sentences using the
verbs in parenthesis and should and should not

1. You have an exam tomorrow. (today/go out/tonight)

2. Calvin has an important meeting. (wear a
suit/jeans)
3. Carol has an appointment at 7 a,m (go to bed early/
watch TV tonight)
4. Your neighbor is in hospital. (visit)
5. A : I have a headache. (take some medicine/read in
the dark)
B : You ________________
6. Paul wants to go to Japan next week.( book his fight)