Learn the Basic Modal Verbs for Obligation

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Learn the Basic Modal Verbs for Obligation
- Unfinished
- High Beginner
- Modal verb
- Auxiliary verb
- Must
- Have to
- Ought to
Modal verb Auxiliary verb Must Have to Ought to
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Learn and practice the modal verb "must" and semi-modal verbs "have to" with the AI tutor. Learn to use the modal verbs in a sentence.

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Understand what a modal verb is, and understand how to use "must", "have to", and "ought to".

Modal verbs are words like "must", "should", "can", and "could". They add so much meaning to a sentence.

Read the following sentence:

This man needs to see a dentist.

You can use the modal verb "must" and rewrite this sentence.

This man must see a dentist.

Semi-modal verbs are "have to" and "ought to" patterns. "have to" and "ought to" are similar to "must".

This man has to see a dentist.

This man ought to see a dentist.

To make a negative sentence, add "not" after "must".

This man must not wait.

For a negative sentence involving "ought to", add "not" after "ought" - "ought not to". This is not used too frequently.

For a negative sentence involving "have to", just say "don't have to". Be careful: "don't have to" and "must not" are different!

"You must not be careless." - Being careless is not okay.

"You don't have to be careless." - Being careless is okay. Being not careless is also okay.

Subject + modal verb + verb (base form) + object.

Subject + modal verb + not + verb (base form) + object.

Subject + have (has) to + verb (base form) + object.

Subject + don't (doesn't) + have to + verb (base form) + object.

Subject + ought to + verb (base form) + object.

Subject + ought not to + verb (base form) + object.

This man needs to buy some food. = This man must buy some food. = This man ought to buy some food. = This man has to buy some food.	Children need to go to school. = Children must go to school. = Children have to go to school. = Children ought to go to school.
She needs to comb her hair. = She must comb her hair. = She ought to comb her hair. = She has to comb her hair.	You must not talk and drive. = You ought not to talk and drive.

careful (Adjective)	Making sure nothing goes wrong.
careless (Adjective)	Not making sure that nothing goes wrong. Not careful.
comb (Noun)	A tool used to style hair.
dentist (Noun)	A person who treats diseases of teeth or toothache.
modal verb (Grammar)	A part of speech which comes before a verb. It expresses ability, suggestion, possibility, and desire. Examples are "can", "should", "would", "could", "shall", "may", and "might".
must (Other)	Have to or need to.
orchestra (Noun)	A group of musicians using musical instruments to play classical music.
semi-modal verbs (Grammar)	A part of speech before a verb which expresses obligation or other ideas. It is made of a verb and "to". An example is "have to".
sign (Noun)	A picture, symbol, set of words, or gesture that convey a message.
smoke (Verb)	To light up and use a cigarette or cigar.
toothache (Noun)	Ache or pain in your tooth.