<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We use modal verbs<\/strong> when we want to express permission<\/strong>, prohibition<\/strong> (not allowing something), obligation<\/strong> or no obligation<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n ‘Can<\/strong>‘ is most often used to ask for or give permission, but ‘may<\/strong>‘ and ‘could<\/strong>‘ are also possible even though they are not used as often as ‘can’. <\/p>\n\n\n\n ‘Can’t<\/strong>‘ and ‘mustn’t<\/strong>‘ (must not) are used to show that something is prohibited (not allowed). <\/p>\n\n\n\n ‘Can’t’ usually gives the idea of something that is against the rules. \u2018Mustn\u2019t\u2019 usually means that it is the speaker who is setting the rule. <\/p>\n\n\n\n ‘Have to<\/strong>‘ and ‘must<\/strong>‘ are both used to express obligation. There is a slight difference in the way that they are both used. <\/p>\n\n\n\n ‘Have to’ shows that the obligation comes from someone else, not the speaker. This is usually referring to a rule or law. <\/p>\n\n\n\n ‘Must’ shows us that the obligation comes from the speaker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n My doctor said that I <\/em>have to<\/em><\/strong> stop smoking or I’ll risk serious problems. <\/em>(I have no choice) <\/p>\n\n\n\n I <\/em>must<\/em><\/strong> stop smoking. It\u2019s costing me too much money. <\/em>(it\u2019s my decision) <\/p>\n\n\n\n We use ‘don’t have to<\/strong>‘ to show that there is no obligation. You can do something if you want but it is not an obligation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We use modal verbs when we want to express permission, prohibition (not allowing something), obligation or no obligation. Permission \u2013<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":5184,"parent":0,"template":"","free_lesson_category":[281,292],"class_list":["post-24579","free_lesson","type-free_lesson","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","free_lesson_category-grammar","free_lesson_category-modals"],"acf":{"related_posts":""},"yoast_head":"\nPermission \u2013 can, may, could<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Prohibition<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Obligation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The difference between ‘have to’ and ‘must’<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Let’s look at an example. Do you notice a difference in these two sentences?<\/strong> <\/h6>\n\n\n\n
No obligation<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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