2. Meaning/use Example
Obligation and necessity:
• Obligation that comes from the speaker.
• Obligation/necessity that results from external
circumstances or rules.
• Past obligation or necessity.
• You must tell me all about your new boyfriend.
• She has to wear a tie at work.
• We had to change all the locks after the
robbery.
Lack of obligation/necessity:
• Lack of obligation that comes from the
speaker.
• Lack of obligation/necessity that results from
external circumstances or rules.
• Lack of obligation/necessity in the past.
• When someone didn’t do something because
it wasn’t necessary.
• When someone did something al although it
was unnecessary.
• You needn’t do anything, we’ll arrange
everything.
• You don’t have to carry your ID with you all the
time.
• We didn’t have to carry out school bags when
we were in primary school.
• He didn’t need to drive himself, he had a
chauffeur.
• I didn’t know the classes were cancelled – I
needn’t have got up so early.
3. Meaning/use Example
Permission:
• Formal permission that is given by the speaker.
• Neutral permission.
• Request for permission.
• Hotel guests may use the pool from 7 a.m. to 9
p.m.
• You can/are allowed to use your notes during
the test.
• May I sit here? / could I have a look at your
notes? / can I leave my luggage here?
Prohibition:
• Very formal prohibition that comes from an
authority.
• Prohibition that comes from the speaker.
• Neutral prohibition.
• Passengers may not smoke on board the aircraft.
• We mustn’t say anything that could hurt her.
• You can’t/are not allowed to smoke here.
