UNIT THREE: WHAT IS EDUCATION?

GRAMMAR: MODALS VERBS TO HAVE TO, MUST, NEED TO

HAVE TO
Have to is NOT an auxiliary verb (it uses the verb have as a main verb). We include have
to here for convenience.
We often use have to to say that something is obligatory, for example:
 Children have to go to school.

Have to is often grouped with modal auxiliary verbs for convenience, but in fact it is not a
modal verb. It is not even an auxiliary verb. In the have to structure, "have" is a main verb.

The basic structure for have to is:

subject + auxiliary verb + hav + to-infinitive

e

Look at these examples in the Present Simple tense:

subjec auxiliary verb main to-infinitive

t verb
have

+ She has to work.  

- I do not have to see the doctor.

? Do you have to go to school?

Use of have to

In general, have to expresses impersonal obligation. The subject of have to is obliged or

forced to act by a separate, external power (for example, the Law or school rules). Have
to is objective. Look at these examples:
  In France, you have to drive on the right.
 In England, most schoolchildren have to wear a uniform.
 John has to wear a tie at work.

In each of the above cases, the obligation is not the subject's opinion or idea. The obligation
comes from outside.

MUST
1. To express obligation or duty
This also refers to laws and regulations.

I must memorize all of these rules about modal verbs.

People must remain seated until the show is over.
You must wear a seatbelt at all times.
2. To emphasize the necessity of something
You must give up smoking, it's bad for you.
We must have a special permit to camp in the national park.
You must study the last two chapters before the test.

3. Deduction - Sure that something is true (Certainty)

We use this when we don't know but we are certain that it is true (based on evidence).

Look at all of that snow. It must be really cold outside.

The ground was wet this morning. It must have rained last night.
Dinosaurs were very big, they must have eaten a lot.

4. Expresses positive logical assumptions (Must + have + past participle)

That must have been my mother calling me last night, nobody else has my number.
He must have won the lottery with the new house and car he has just bought.
She must have been at home - her car was there.
5. A strong recommendation
Something that is highly recommended (stronger than using should)
We really must get together for dinner sometime.
You must see the new Peter Jackson movie, it's fantastic.
The ice cream here is delicious. You must try some.
Need
 
Need is a semi-modal verb because in some ways it is like a modal verb and in other ways like
a main verb.
We use need mostly in the negative form to indicate that there is no obligation or necessity to
do something:
You needn’t take off your shoes.

Affirmative form

Nobody need know the name of the person who made the complaint.

Not a thing need change on this page.
Need comes first in the verb phrase
Let’s forget about it. No one need know about it.

Negative form

Warning:
We form the negative by adding not after need. Need not can be contracted to needn’t. We
don’t use don’t/doesn’t/didn’t with the semi-modal verb need:
You need not spend a lot of money on presents. 
We needn’t spend much time on this topic. It’s not going to be in the exam.
Cans of soup needn’t be kept in the fridge.

Question form

The question form of the semi-modal need is not very common. It is rather formal. The subject
and need change position to form questions. We don’t use do/does/did.
Need we write this down?