Expressing obligation

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• While camping, there are certain obligations or tasks that you need to fulfill to keep the campsite organized and ensure everyone's safety. Use expressions of obligation like "had to" or "had a responsibility to" followed by a verb in the simple past tense to describe these situations.
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• Example: "During the camping trip, we had to gather firewood to maintain the campfire. It was our responsibility to ensure that everyone stayed warm during the chilly nights. We took turns venturing into the forest, scouting for fallen branches and logs. It was hard work, but we understood its importance for a successful camping experience."
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• Expressing obligation involves communicating a sense of duty, necessity, or requirement. Here are some rules and guidelines for expressing obligation:

• Modal verbs:

• Modal verbs are commonly used to express obligation. The most common modal verbs for expressing obligation are "must," "have to,", "may", "might" and "should."

Affirmative and negative

"Must" is used for strong obligations or requirements. It indicates that something is necessary or mandatory.

Example

Negative

 She must carry a first aid kit.

She must not forget the first aid kit. / She mustn't forget the first aid kit.

"Have to" is used to express general obligations or requirements. It indicates that something is necessary or mandatory.

Example

Negative

We have to follow the campsite rules and regulations.

We don't have to follow the campsite rules and regulations

"Should" is used to express advice or recommendations. It indicates that something is desirable or recommended, but not mandatory.

Example

Negative

You should bring insect repellent.

You should not forget the insect repellent. / You shouldn't forget the insect repellent.

"May" is used informal context. It indicates possibility or permission. 

Example:

We may go hiking tomorrow.

 We may not go hiking if the weather is bad. / We mayn't go hiking if the weather is bad.

"Might" is used informal context. It indicates a lower degree of possibility.

Example

	Affirmative	Negative
🔊	He might join us for the camping trip.	He might not be available this weekend. / He mightn't be available this weekend.

• Infinitive form:
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• Obligation can also be expressed using the base form of a verb (infinitive) with auxiliary verbs like "need to" or "have got to."
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• Example:

We need to pitch our tents before it gets dark.

• Negative form:

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• To express lack of obligation or prohibition, negative forms can be used with modal verbs or auxiliary verbs.
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•     Example:

You don't have to bring a sleeping bag, as we will provide them.

• Contextual cues:

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• The context and tone of the sentence can also indicate obligation without using explicit obligation markers. For example, using strong words like "require," "demand," or "necessary" can convey a sense of obligation.
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•  Example:

It is essential that we clean up after ourselves and leave the campsite tidy.

• Adverbs of manner:

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• Adverbs of manner describe how an action was performed or the way in which something happened. They provide additional information about the verb and can be used to express conditions.
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• Example:

gracefully, beautifully, carefully, enthusiastically, quietly, confidently

Activity



1. Read the following questions and choose the correct option:

2. Read the following questions and write the correct option: