You must be tired. You should take a rest.

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Modal Verbs (Must/Should (Not) )

Intermediate

With 'must' and 'should', you will be able to talk about expectations and obligations.

Exercise 1

Sentence Practice

Must (obligation)

You must answer all the questions.
We must obey the law.

Must (high possibility)

You worked so hard all day. You must be tired.
This is a new model. It must be expensive.

Should (obligation)

We should not waste your time.
You should not be rude like that.

Should (expectation/suggestion)

He doesn’t like his new job. He should look for a new one.
It should snow heavily tomorrow, according to the radio.

Grammar Focus

Modal verbs

Modal verbs are placed before main verbs in sentences. They give additional meaning to the main verbs. Modal verbs we have studied include 'can' and 'will'.

1. Must

The modal verb 'must' says that something is very likely (highly possible) or to say that it is required (obligation).

He must be upset. (= He is most likely upset.)
You must go home soon. (= Go home!)

Add 'not' after 'must' to make negative sentences.

He must not be hungry. (= He is probably full.)
You must not go home soon. (= Do not go home!)

2. Should

The modal verb 'should' describes an expectation, a suggestion (advice) or obligation. Add 'not' after 'should' to make the negative sentences.

According to the weather forecast, it should rain tomorrow. (= it will probably rain.)
According to the weather forecast, it should not rain tomorrow. (= it probably won't rain.)
You should go home soon. (= I suggest going home)
You should not go home soon. (= I suggest not going home)

The difference between the 'should' obligation and 'must' obligation is that 'must' is stronger. "You must go home" is closer to the imperative "Go home!". "You should go home" is closer to a suggestion: "I suggest going home".

Questions

In modern English, questions with 'must' are not very common, so this section will focus on questions using 'should.'

We can use 'should' to ask questions about things we are expected or obligated to do. As with other modal verbs, move the modal verb to the beginning:

I should arrive by 10 am. → Should I arrive by 10 am?
He should see a doctor. → Should he see a doctor?

To ask an open-ended question, add a question word to the beginning:

When should I arrive?
What should he do?

Exercise 2

Dialogue Practice

Read the dialogues aloud with your tutor.

Sleep

	Lauren You look tired. You must not have slept well last night.
	Grace I've been having trouble sleeping recently. I keep thinking about my ex-boyfriend.
	Lauren You should stop thinking about him!

Potluck

Lauren is hosting a potluck gathering.
	Hyun-woo What time should we come to your house?
	Lauren Come around 6 o'clock.
	Arisa Everyone must bring one dish, right? What should we bring?
	Lauren Hyun-woo should bring drinks, Arisa should bring dessert, and someone else should bring a salad.

At Work

	Ellen Jackson I'm firing an employee today. How should I do that?
	Manager Emphasize that you must fire them for the sake of your team.
	Ellen Jackson Should I apologize for firing him?
	Manager No, you should not do that, because this is not your personal decision. This is for the team.

Exercise 3

Rephrasing Sentences

Rephrase the sentences below using must or should.

Don't play with fire!

I suggest going to bed earlier.

She is probably tired.

It will probably be sunny tomorrow.

Don't go to the party.

I suggest not going to the party.

Exercise 4

Sentence Building

Tell a child the things they should/must or should not/must not do.

Example

tell the truth → "You should tell the truth!"

tidy up your toys
clean your room
brush your teeth
get up now
make your bed
be late
wear a coat
eat your breakfast
be polite
share your things
eat with your mouth open