Language Use:
ESL Guide for Modal Verbs Must for Obligations & Conclusions
Why is the modal verb Must used?
Where in a sentence is a modal verb commonly placed?
What are examples of the modal Must in statements?
What are examples of the modal Must in negative statements?
What are examples of the modal Must in questions?
How is must used to express a conclusion that has been made?
What is a modal verb?
A modal verb is an auxiliary (helping) verb that expresses a particular quality of a verb. Modal verbs are used with the infinitive (base form) of a main verb to modify its meaning.
MODALS INCLUDE WORDS LIKE:
Can, Could, May, Might, Must, Shall, Should, Will, Would and Have To.
Why is the modal verb Must used?
Must is used to express things like obligation and necessity. Must is also used to express that a conclusion has been made.
Where in a sentence is a modal verb commonly placed?
- Statement: subject + modal + base verb
- Negative Statement: subject + modal + “not” + base form
- Question: modal + subject + base verb
What are examples of the modal Must in statements?
- Statement: subject + must + base verb
Statement – No Modal
- Wash your hands before dinner.
- The bellman uses the back door.
- The gardeners trim all of these bushes.
- We get the burn cream in the pharmacy.
- Pass this test to graduate.
Statement – With Modal Must
- You must wash your hands before dinner.
- The bellman must use the back door.
- The gardeners must trim all of these bushes.
- We must get the burn cream in the pharmacy.
- You must pass this test to graduate.
subject + modal + base verb
No “S” for 3rd Person Singular
OBLIGATION
The best course of action: a duty, commitment or responsibility.
NECESSITY
Something required. Absolutely necessary.
What are examples of the modal Must in negative statements?
- Negative Statement: subject + must + “not” + base form
Negative Statement – With Modal Must
- You must not put your hands on the stove.
- The valets must not use these keys.
- The gardeners must not trim all of the bushes.
- We must not wait very long to pick the fruit.
- You must not waste your time in front of the television.
Negative Statement – With Modal Must
(contraction)
- You mustn’t put your hands on the stove.
- The valets mustn’t use these keys.
- The gardeners mustn’t trim all of the bushes.
- We mustn’t wait very long to pick the fruit.
- You mustn’t waste your time in front of the television.
NEGATIVE STATEMENTS
WITH MUST
subject + modal + “not” + base form main verb
NEGATIVE CONTRACTION WITH MUST
must not = mustn’t
What are examples of the modal Must in questions?
- Question: must + subject + base verb
Question – HAVE TO
- Do you have to make so much noise in there?
- Do we have to eat dinner so late every night?
- Does Dave always have to leave the milk out?
- Do we have to go there each and every week.
- Do you have to be late every day?
Question – Modal Must
- Must you make so much noise in there?
- Must we eat dinner so late every night?
- Must Dave always leave the milk out?
- Must we go there each and every week.
- Must you be late every day.
QUESTIONS WITH MODALS
When we ask as a question with the modal MUST we are asking about an obligation or necessity. MUST is often interchangeable with HAVE TO.
QUESTIONS WITH MODALS
The subject of the sentence is placed between the modal and base form of the main verb.
modal + subject + base verb
How is must used to express a conclusion that has been made?
Certainty – Various Tenses
- John called. He is stuck in traffic.
- I talked to Alexis. She said that she feels terrible.
- I have allergies. I know for sure..
- Eric is very strong. I exercise with him every day.
- You love it here. You told me that yesterday.
Conclusion – With Modal Must
- John isn’t here. He must be stuck in traffic.
- Alexis has a fever. She must feel terrible.
- I sneeze a lot in the spring. I must have allergies.
- Eric is very strong. He must exercise a lot.
- You have lived here for 20 years. You must love it here.
CERTAINTY:
Knowledge that something did or will happen. Knowledge that something is true.
CONCLUSION
A decision or judgment made based upon reasoning and understanding of the facts.
