Explain the difference in meaning:

1.     You must try this cake, it’s delicious!


2.     You mustn’t bring your food here.


3.     I didn’t need to take an umbrella with me.


4.     You can’t smoke here


5.     Jack was an excellent tennis player. He could beat anyone.

1.     Many pupils in England have to wear a uniform when they go to school.

2.     You don’t have to bring your food here

3.     I needn’t have taken an umbrella with me.


4.     You may not smoke here



5.     Jack and Alf had a game of tennis yesterday. Alf played very well, but in the end Jack was
able to beat him.



1.It wasn’t necessary for you to bring me flowers as I already had a lot.

Needn’t     You ................................................. me flowers.

2. I'm sure they are at home.

Be   They……………………………….. at home.

3. Driving without headlights is forbidden.

Drive      You ..............................without headlights

4. Don’t worry it is not necessary to dress formally for the party.

Needn’t     .................................... dress formally for the party.

5.It wasn’t necessary to  buy a dress for the party, so she didn’t

Need    She………………….buy a dress for the party, so she didn’t.

 6. It wasn’t necessary to buy a dress for the party, but she did

Needn’t     She ………………………….a dress for the party, but she did.

7. I don’t believe she is 25. She looks much younger.

Be    She........................... 25. She looks much younger.


Modals of necessity : Desert island activity

You are going to a desert island for a period of three years. You packed:

Sunscreen, a phone, a knife, a book,  alcohol, matches, hair dye, a pan, a towel, a plastic bottle,
a pen, a laptop, a hammock, perfume, a fishing net, painkillers, coffee, scissors

Create sentences using : I need to/had to take.................. because

                                        I didn’t need/didn’t have to take this because....

                                     I needn’t have taken this.....because



Tell me about something you have always been able to do.

Tell me about something you can’t do very well.

Tell me about something you would love to able to do.