3. Paco mustn't abuse spicy food

Icono IDevice Reading and listening task



Watch this video by the Swedish group Roxette and try to answer the question below. Can you infer what the meaning of the structure with 'must have been' implies?
1) It implies obligation / 2) It implies deduction / 3) It implies advice.


Must and ought to
Study the chart below and have a look at the examples given to learn the different uses of must and ought to.

 

 

 

Must

 

We must say thank you immediately.

They mustn’t distract the children's attention.

He must have stopped working by ten o'clock.

The hurricane consequences must have been terrible.

Necessity

Prohibition

Obligation.

Conclusion.

Ought to We ought to employ professional workers in our factory.
 Saying what’s right or correct
Icono de iDevice Solved exercise

1) The meal must be cooked by eight o'clock.

2) Students must not ride their motorbikes without a helmet.

3) It must have been really difficult for you after the accident.

4) You must be at home before midnight.

 

Say which sentence with the modal verb must expresses obligation, prohibition, conclusion or necessity.


Icono de IDevice de pregunta Self-assessment activity
Watch the video below in order to identify the following sentences:

 

1) You must phone the fire brigade in case of fire.

  
a) Emergencies.
b) Prohibition.
c) Obligation.
d) No obligation.

2) I have to go to Madrid for an important meeting.
  
a) Emergencies.
b) Prohibition.
c) Obligation.
d) No obligation.

3) You mustn't drink if you are going to drive.
  
a) Emergencies.
b) Prohibition.
c) Obligation.
d) No obligation.

4) You don't have to come with me if you don't want to.
  
a) Emergencies.
b) Prohibition.
c) Obligation.
d) No obligation.

Icono de iDevice Reflexión
The meaning of modals

Modal verbs often distinguish between two main types of meaning, described as intrinsic and extrinsic meanings.

Intrinsic meanings are those which imply some kind of human control over events, so they include meanings which are often described as permission, willingness and necessity.

Extrinsic meanings are those which involve some kind of human judgment about what is or isn’t likely to happen, so include meanings which are often described as prediction or possibility.
All modal verbs have both intrinsic and extrinsic uses. For instance, an intrinsic use of the modal verb can is in talking about permission: You can use my car in case of emergency, but an extrinsic use is in discussing possibility: London can be foggy in winter.

Saint Paul's in the fog.
King coyote. Creative Commons.
Idioms and proverbs

You have to strike while the iron is hot.


Madame Pompadour. Creative Commons.

This idiom means that you should take advantage of the situation now that you can, since the situation is ideal.

Icono IDevice Important
Must not vs. Do not have to
Must not suggests that you are prohibited from doing something.

 

You must not drink that. It is forbidden, it is not allowed.

 

By Tonythesuperperson Creative Commons.

 

Do not have to suggests that someone is not required to do something.

 

You don't have to eat that. You can do it if you want to, but it is not necessary.

 


Icono IDevice Curiosity

Bengali meals: Paco mustn't abuse spicy food

By Kspoddar. Creative Commons.

The Bengalis are great food lovers and take pride in their cuisine. In fact so obsessed are they about food, that the man of the house goes to the market daily to buy a fresh supply of fish which is a must in their daily menu. The most common variety of fish that the Bengalis eat are the Hilsa, Bekti, Rohu and among seafood prawns are the most common ones. They cook using mustard oil which adds on its own pungency. Another very important item of Bengali cuisine is the variety of sweets or 'mishti' as they call them. Most of them are milk based and are prepared from 'chaana' ('paneer' as it is popularly known). The most popular of the Bengali sweets are the Rosogolla, Sandesh, Pantua and Mishti Doi and these four sweets are a must at every wedding besides some other sweets, which may vary as per individual choice. A meal, for the Bengali, is a ritual in itself even if is only boiled rice and lentils (dal bhat), with a little fish of course.

Adapted from Wikipedia.


Icono IDevice Further knowledge

Click here to learn about the formation of the verb must in affirmative, negative and interrogative.

Click here to learn about the uses and formation of the verb have to in affirmative, negative and interrogative.

Click here to learn about the formation of the verb ought to in affirmative, negative and interrogative.


Once you have learnt about how to express obligation and prohibition in English, we are going to study the modal verb may and its past form might. The former is frequently used whereas the latter has a more restricted use, let's say, a more formal use than may.
« Anterior | Siguiente »