Grammar: modal patterns

Vocabulary in this set

Practise ten common grammar patterns for clear everyday communication.

1. be able to

   Phrase

   have the ability or opportunity to do something

   Will you be able to join us tomorrow?

2. be allowed to

   Phrase

   have permission to do something

   Children should be allowed to ask questions.

3. be supposed to

   Phrase

   be expected or required to do something

   Be supposed to: Everyone is supposed to follow the new procedure.

4. had better

   Phrase

   give strong advice or warn about a likely problem

   You had better save a copy before closing the file.

5. be to

   Phrase

   describe a formal plan, instruction, or duty

   We use be to in formal plans: The minister is to visit on Friday.

6. have to

   Phrase

   express an obligation created by a rule or situation

   I have to renew my passport this month.

7. need to

   Phrase

   say that an action is necessary or important

   We need to leave before the traffic gets heavy.

8. do not have to

   Expression

   say that an action is not necessary

   You do not have to bring any food.

9. must not

   Phrase

   say that an action is prohibited

   Visitors must not touch the paintings.

10. should have

    Phrase

    describe a past action that was advisable but did not happen

    I should have checked the address before leaving.