Semi-Modals helps you communicate about nuanced obligation, arrangements and temporal meanings. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can use semi-modals to express necessity, expectation, habit and near-future events.
- Recognise and build the form: have to, be supposed to, used to, be about to, need to.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use Semi-Modals for nuanced obligation, arrangements and temporal meanings. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
We have to submit the form by Friday.
'Have to' expresses an external necessity.
You need to show your ticket at the entrance.
'Need to + base verb' expresses practical necessity.
The train is about to leave, so hurry.
'Be about to' means something will happen very soon.
have to, be supposed to, used to, be about to, need toKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- 'Have to' expresses an external necessity.
- 'Need to + base verb' expresses practical necessity.
- 'Be about to' means something will happen very soon.
- 'Be supposed to' expresses an arrangement or expectation.
- 'Used to + base verb' describes a past state that is no longer true.
Common mistakes
Not:We have submit the form by Friday.
Use:We have to submit the form by Friday.
'Have to' expresses an external necessity.
Not:You need show your ticket at the entrance.
Use:You need to show your ticket at the entrance.
'Need to + base verb' expresses practical necessity.
Not:The train is supposed to leave, so hurry.
Use:The train is about to leave, so hurry.
'Be about to' means something will happen very soon.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
We are ____ meet the client at ten.
supposed to
'Be supposed to' expresses an arrangement or expectation.
I ____ live near the beach when I was a child.
used to
'Used to + base verb' describes a past state that is no longer true.
She ____ working at night now.
is used to
'Be used to + gerund' means be accustomed to something.