Grammar: modal patterns

What you’ll practise

Practise ten common grammar patterns for clear everyday communication.

1. is able to

   Grammar topics & sentence patterns

   indicate capability or permission

   She is able to solve complex problems.

2. is allowed to

   Grammar topics & sentence patterns

   indicate permission or authorization

   You are allowed to enter with a valid ticket.

3. is supposed to

   Grammar topics & sentence patterns

   indicate an expected action or behavior

   He is supposed to arrive by 5 PM.

4. had better

   Grammar topics & sentence patterns

   strong suggestion or warning

   You had better finish your work on time.

5. am to

   Grammar topics & sentence patterns

   indicate an obligation or duty

   I am to report to the manager tomorrow.

6. have to

   Grammar topics & sentence patterns

   express an obligation created by a rule or situation

   I have to renew my passport this month.

   Pattern: have or has to + base verb

7. need to

   Grammar topics & sentence patterns

   say that an action is necessary or important

   We need to leave before the traffic gets heavy.

   Pattern: need to + base verb

8. do not have to

   Grammar topics & sentence patterns

   say that an action is not necessary

   You do not have to bring any food.

   Pattern: do or does not have to + base verb

9. must not

   Grammar topics & sentence patterns

   say that an action is prohibited

   Visitors must not touch the paintings.

   Pattern: must not + base verb

10. should have

    Grammar topics & sentence patterns

    describe a past action that was advisable but did not happen

    I should have checked the address before leaving.

    Pattern: should have + past participle