Business English B2 · Lesson 2B

Grammar Bank

The rules behind this lesson — form, use, model sentences and the mistakes to avoid.

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Grammar focus of this lesson

Modals of obligation & suggestion

1 structure

Modals of obligation & advice
should, ought to, had better, must, have to — different weight.
I've got this
Rules & form
- ›should / ought to: advice and expectation.
- ›had better ('d better): urgent advice with a hint of warning; negative had better not.
- ›must: internal or written obligation. have to: external necessity.
- ›mustn't = prohibition · don't have to / needn't = no necessity.
- ›Past forms: had to, should have + participle.
Examples
- “You ought to confirm in writing.”
- “We'd better leave now or we'll miss the slot.”
- “Staff mustn't share passwords; visitors don't have to register online.”
Watch out · had better takes the base verb: had better to go ✗.
Your own example