情态动词用法详解(2)
English Grammar Pill: Modal Verbs (Part 2) – How to use Modal Verbs of Obligation (Necessity),Prohibition and Advice. In Part 2 of my series on modal verbs, I’d like to review the functions of obligation (necessity) and prohibition. Part 1 dealt with the functions of ability and habits. In that last post, I said that I would be splitting the series into three posts. Having researched the topic in more depth, I’ve decided that I will need four posts to cover modal verbs the way I would like. In my last post I said that I would be covering the function of permission in this part. However, I shall address that in a later post. OBLIGATION (NECESSITY) ■We must finish the meeting by 3pm because I have to get to the airport by 5pm. ■You need to sign this form in two places, here and here. In writing, must and have to have the same meaning. However, in spoken English there is a small difference. With “have to”, the situation makes something necessary, whilst with “must” the speaker personally feels that something is necessary.
■I have to pay my credit card bill by the end of the month. (It’s the credit company’s rule)
“Have got to” and “will have to” are also used for necessity. They are more informal.
PROHIBITION
■You can’t park here. (those are the rules) Notice ■I have to/I must leave today (it’s necessary)
PAST FORMS ■I had to get the sales figures for my boss before the meeting. No Obligation ■You didn’t have to get me a present. That’s very kind of you. ■When I was young we weren’t allowed to watch television in the evenings.
■You work too much. You should take more breaks. (it’s my advice) Note that the above sentences are all “soft” advice that is given. If you want to give strong advice to someone, you use “must” or “have to”. The strong advice becomes more of a necessity.
■You are really not well. You must/have to go to the doctor’s. (It’s necessary) Click here if you’d like to test yourself with this exercise on modal verbs of obligation. It was prepared by Perfect English Grammar. In the next post, I will cover modal verbs of probability. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to ask me any questions you may have on this topic. If you liked this post please share it. And don’t forget to subscribe to my blog if you don’t want to miss out on my posts. Ciao for now. Shanthi |