English for Intermediate Students - CEFR B1 - Lesson 8 of 25

Modals of Obligation: Have to, Must, Need to

Read and listen to four conversations using the grammar.

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Conversation 1

Man: I have to work today.
Woman: Really. I don’t have to.
Man: I better go. I need to get ready.
Woman: When do you start?
Man: At noon, but I have to leave early to beat the traffic.
Woman: Yeah, you need to get going.

Conversation 2

Man: What do you have to do today?
Woman: I have to clean my house.
Man: Really, it looks clean.
Woman: No, I need to dust, I need to clean the bathroom and I have to do laundry.
Man: Well, you seem busy, so I must be going.
Woman: Yeah, I need to get started, but call me later.

Conversation 3

Man: We need to pay this bill.
Woman: Why? We don’t have to pay it.
Man: Yes, we do. We must.
Woman: No, it’s not a bill, just a donation.
Man: But if we don’t pay it, we will look bad.
Woman: No, we won’t. You mustn’t think that way.

Conversation 4

Man: What must we do today?
Woman: We have to mail these letters.
Man: Anything else?
Woman: Yeah, you need to pick up the kids from school.
Man: I can’t. I have to work.
Woman: OK, I can do it then. I have to go by the school anyway.

Need to / Have to / Must

need to - shows an action is important and necessary.

(Q) What do we need to bring?
(A) You need to have a swimsuit.
(N) You don’t need to wear a cap.
(Q) Do we need to show ID?
(A) Yes, you do.
(N) No, you don’t.

have to- shows an action is important and necessary.

(Q) What do you have to do?
(A) I have to clean my rooms.
(N) I don’t have to finish today.
(Q) Do you have to go?
(A) Yes, I have to. / Yes, I do.
(N) No, I don’t (have to)

not have to - shows an action is not necessary