Grammar for ielts fiona Aish & Jo Tomlinson ■L& 11

Modal constructions using ‘to’ (sem i-m odal verbs)
Ought to 
is used:
to express a recom m endation (like 
should}
People ought to be kind to others.
This construction is less com m on in the negative.
Have to 
is used:
to express a strong objective obligation 
People have to fo llo w the law. (it is required)
Don’t have to 
is used:
to express that som ething is a m a tte r of choice and not necessary 
You don’t have to pay the fine today, (you can pay today if you want, but it is not necessary)
Practice exercises
1
Decide on the correct modal or semi-modal form and finish the sentences. There may be
more than one answer.
1 
I believe it is better fo r crim in a ls to go to prison than to do com m unity w ork.
C rim in a ls ________________ to prison instead of doing com m unity w ork.
2
It is necessary to follow a ll the laws in a country.
You________________ a ll the laws in a country.
Crime 
5 1
languagedownload.ir

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3 
I th in k it is possible that the crim e rate w ill increase in future.
I 
th in k the crim e r a te ___________ in future.
4
Som etim es offenders can choose between paying a fine or 
doing com m unity service.
Som etim es o ffe n d e rs _______ __________They can do com m unity service instead.
5 
Police officers are able to take early retirem ent because of 
the demands of th e ir job.
Police o ffic e rs ________________ early re tirem e n t because of the demands of th e ir job.
Gram mar tip: 
Always use m odal verbs to express possibility and likelihood. Only use 
w ill 
when the inform ation is factual and not your opinion, fo r example:
The crime rate m ig h t decrease as a result of the new laws, 
(you cannot be sure]
The government w ill introduce new laws next month to help reduce crime, 
(this is a fact)