4. Obligation: should and ought to

We use ‘should and ought to’ to talk about obligations and duties in the future, present and past,

You ought to /should treat your mother better.

Should + have + past participle is often used to cricise your own or other people’s behavior.

I should have got some more soap when I was at the supermarket.

5. Strong obligation and necessity

-must

We use ‘must’ to:

-talk about present and future strong obligations and necessities that come from the speaker.

I must remember to tell Ted about the meeting.

-ask about what the listener wants you to do

Must I eat all the vegetables?

-tell people not to do things

You mustn’t speak Greek in class.

2. Have to/have got to

We use' have to/ have got’ to:

-talk about present and future strong obligations that do not come from the speaker. ‘Have got to ‘ is used more in British English than it is in American English.

We have to wear uniforms at our school.

Do we have to write in pen or in pencil? ( more common in American English)

I haven’t got to go to school tomorrow. (more common in British English).

-talk about past and reported obligations of all kinds

They told us we had to check in two hours before departure.

We had to wear uniforms when I was at school.

I knew I had to do something. I meant to tell Ted about the meeting.

Lack of obligation

1. Needn’t, don’t need to and don’t have to

We use ‘ needn’t, don’t need to, don’t have to’ to talk about a lack of obligation in the present or future

You don’t need to/needn’t come to the airport. I’ll get a taxi.

We don’t have to go to school tomorrow. It’s a holiday.

2. needn’t +have +past participle

We use ‘needn’t +have +past participle’ to say that somebody did something, but that it was unnecessary.

You needn’t have written it out again.

3. didn’t need to + infinitive

We use ‘didn’t need to +infinitive’ to say that something wasn’t necessary without saying whether the person did or not

You didn’t need to bring an umbrella.

Deduction

1. Must

We use ‘must’ to say that we are sure about something in the present or past.

That must be Elena when she was a baby.

You must have enjoyed your trip to Mexico.

2. can’t

We use ‘can’t’ in negative sentences not ‘mustn’t’.

That can’t be Jack. He drives a Fiat.

Alex can’t have been away. The lights were on in his flat.

Conversational formulas

How to ask for and Give Directions

Asking for Direction Replies

Excuse me, could you tell me …, please? Certainly. (Yes, of course.)

Excuse me, do you know …, please? Yes, I know.

Excuse me, how do I get to …, please? No, I’m sorry, I’ve know idea.

Excuse me, where is …, please? Well, I’m not (very) sure.

Well, I’m sorry, I’m not absolutely certain.

How to Express Agreement or Disagreement

Agreement Disagreement

Certainly! Certainly not!

Of course! I don’t think you’re right!

You’re quite right! I don’t quite agree with you.

I also think… I think…

I couldn’t agree more. Yes, that’s quite true but…

It’s just what I was thinking.

How to Express Opinions

That was a wonderful performance!

What a delightful place!

The match is so exciting.

The book is so thrilling!

I was impressed by his brilliant conversation.

The way the actors play is really remarkable!

We all felt bored when we listened to his report.

I was disappointed at the trip.

This game is boring.

How to Congratulate and Wish Something on Different Occasions

Congratulations!

Many happy returns (of the day)!

(A) Happy New Year!

I wish you all the very best!

Best wishes for…

I wish you good luck in everything.

A very enjoyable holiday to you!

Have a good time!

How to Show Surprise, Polite Interest, Pleasure, Regret on Hearing Some News

Showing Surprise Showing Polite Interest

I’m surprised. How interesting.

Oh, really! Oh, really!

I can’t believe it. I see.

Showing Pleasure Showing Regret

Wonderful! Oh, I’m sorry.

That’s good news! Well, it’s a pity.

Now nice! That’s bad news.

How to Give Advice and How to Accept It

Giving advice Replies

You had better… Good, I’ll do that.

You’d better… You are right. That’s an idea.

You’d rather… Oh, I can’t agree to that.

I think I would be good to… I don’t think you are right.

No, I don’t want to do that.

How to Express Encouragement

Giving advice Replies

Cheer up! Never give way to despair.

Make the best of it. Don’t let it get you down.

Let’s hope for the best. Why not give it another try?

How to Express Approval or Disapproval

Approval Disapproval

It’s a good thing. I’m against it.

Sounds good to me. That won’t do.

Fine! No go!

That’ll do. That won’t work.

That’s just what I was going to say. What’s the use of…?

I’m all for it. What’s the good of…?

How to Invite and How to Accept or Reject an Invitation

Invitations Replies

I’d like to invite you to the circus. With pleasure.

How (What) about going hiking? Yes, I’d like to.

Let’s go to see the new exhibition. I’m afraid I can’t, because…

Would you like to go the theatre? I’m sorry I can’t.

How to Make Requests

Requests Replies

Please do… (Please don’t…) Yes, certainly.

Will you…? Of course I will.

Would you…? With pleasure. (Willingly.)

Could you…? (I’m) Sorry I can’t.

How to Apologize

Apologies Replies

(I’m) Sorry! Oh, that’s all right.

Excuse me. Never mind!

I (do) apologize.

Please forgive me.

How to Ask for and Give and an Opinion

What do you think of…? I think…

How do you find…? I feel…

What’s your opinion of…? If you want my opinion…

How do you feel about…? Well, in my opinion…

What would you say to…? In my view…

As far as I’m concerned…

As I see it…

I would say…

Frankly speaking…

Honestly…

I suppose…

How to Express Doubt

Do you really think so?

Is that what you honestly think?

You are convinced of this, aren’t you?

I’m not so sure about that.

Well I don’t know…

Well, it depends, doesn’t it?

You can’t be serious.

How to Make a Suggestion and How to Reply Expressing Likes, Dislikes and Preferences

Suggestion Replies

Do you feel like going to the cinema tonight? 1. Yes, good idea. (Good idea!)

How about buying some new records? Yes, that’s a splendid idea.

What about going to the exhibition? Yes, that sounds like it really.

How about watching the new program? That’s fine!

What do you say to camping? Not a bad idea.

2. Well, I can’t say I feel like it really.

No, I don’t think that’s such a good idea, really.

No, I don’t think so.

No, thanks.

3. I think I’d rather…

I prefer…

I think I’d rather…