Focus 8 Mustn’t, Don’t have to and Needn’t

· You mustn’t shout in the library.

· You don’t have to/needn’t shout. I can hear you perfectly well.

Mustn’t is used when something is prohibited or forbidden. Don’t have to means “it isn’t necessary”. Needn’t can also be used in this way.

Note: The negative of must (obligation) is don’t have to/needn’t.

Exercise I. Choose the correct answer:

1. She … (have to, will, should, could) Be home by now. I’m worried.

2. Children … (can, must, won’t, has to) be accompanied by an adult in the zoo.

3. … (will, shall, must, would) I turn on the heater? It’s chilly in here.

4. They … (wouldn’t, mustn’t, shouldn’t, couldn’t) hear him because he was whispering.

5. You’ve never heard of the Beatles?! You … (must, had to, can’t, shouldn’t) be serious!

6. … (Will, May, Shall, Would) you like to have dinner with me today?

7. He … (mustn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t, can’t) hear about the party tomorrow. It’s a surprise!

8. That shopping bag looks very heavy. I … (will, must, should, may) help you carry it.

9. … (Will, May, Would, Shall) I speak to the Chief Inspector of Police, please?

10. I crashed into a wall, but luckily … (would, be able to, could, had to, was able to) force open the car door and escape.

Exercise II. Choose the most appropriate modals:

1. They … (can’t, wouldn’t, must, might as well) agree to lower my municipal taxes even though the house is quite old.

2. I think the finger is broken. You … (might, could, ought to, can) go to hospital.

3. The car is filthy. I … (may, might, will, ought) help you clean it.

4. When I was a child, I … (had to, would, should, might) sit for hours reading fairy tales.

5. She … (has to, wouldn’t, needn’t, can’t) come early. Dinner isn’t 9.00 p.m.

6. There’s been an accident! … (Shall, Can, May, Ought) I call an ambulance?

7. You … (won’t, mustn’t, couldn’t, ought to) cheat at the exams. It’s forbidden.

8. The bus was badly damaged in the accident, but the children … (can, had to, ought to, were able to) get out through a broken window.

9. If you are interested in a carrier in sport, you … (could, must, had to, have got to) try talking to our tennis coach.

10. I can hear the siren now. It … (can, would, must, have to) be the police.

The Future Simple (Indefinite) Tense

Formation

The Future Indefiniteis formed with shall/will + the Infinitive of the main verb.

The children will come home in half an hour.

The children will not come home in half an hour.

Will the children come home in half an hour?

Note: In modern English will is preferable with all persons. Any difference between shall and will disappears in everyday speech where the contractions I'll and we’ll are normally used.

Main uses

The Future Simple (Indefinite) is used to denote:

1. A predicted future action, a happening which is inevitable and out of anybody's control

The population of the world will reachsix billion people by 2000.

The weather tomorrow will bewarm and sunny.

She’ll behere in a few minutes.

The company will makea profit next year. Reference to the future is often indicated by adverbials of time such as tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, in aweek (month, year) next year, in 2000, etc.

2. An actionwhich the speaker regards as possible, probable or likely to happen in future (near or remote).

I think they willeasily winthe match.

I'm sure you will enjoyyour visit to the Zoo.

We'll probably spendout holiday in Scotland this summer.

I don't think Tom will passhis examination. He hasn't done any work for it.

3. An action decided on spontaneously, out of circumstances (an action which is not part of a plan).

Oh, I've left the door open. I’ll goand shutit.

I 'm too tired to walk home. I think I'll takea taxi.

I'm afraid Mr. Wood can't see you until 4 o 'clock. - Oh, in that case I won't wait.

Shall I help you?

Shall I carry your bag?

Shall I water the roses now? Interrogative requests, instructions, warningsaddressed to the 2nd person take "will".

Willyou bequiet, please?

Willyou getme a paper while you're out?

Note: 1) The Future Simple in the negative form can be used to talk about refusals, resistance or reluctance, to do something.

The door won't open.