Modals: should, ought to, need to, have to, must and their negative forms
1. Should (〜するべき)
- Use: To give advice, suggest something, or indicate what is expected.
- Example: You should exercise more to stay healthy. (健康を保つためにもっと運動をするべきです。)
2. Ought to (〜するべき)
- Use: Similar to “should,” but slightly more formal. It’s used for advice, recommendation, or moral obligation.
- Example: You ought to apologize if you made a mistake. (もし間違いをしたなら、謝るべきです。)
3. Need to (〜する必要がある)
- Use: To express a requirement or necessity.
- Example: I need to finish this project by tomorrow. (明日までにこのプロジェクトを終える必要があります。)
4. Have to (〜しなければならない)
- Use: To indicate an obligation, often due to external rules or situations.
- Example: Students have to wear a uniform at this school. (この学校では学生は制服を着なければなりません。)
5. Must (〜しなければならない)
- Use: To indicate a strong obligation or necessity, often with a sense of urgency.
- Example: You must submit your report by the deadline. (締め切りまでにレポートを提出しなければなりません。)
6. Shouldn’t (〜するべきではない)
- Use: To give advice about something that is not a good idea.
- Example: You shouldn’t eat too much sugar. (砂糖を取りすぎるべきではありません。)
7. Ought not to (〜するべきではない)
- Use: Similar to “shouldn’t,” but slightly more formal.
- Example: They ought not to ignore their responsibilities. (彼らは責任を無視するべきではありません。)
8. Don’t need to (〜する必要がない)
- Use: To indicate that something is not necessary.
- Example: You don’t need to bring anything to the party. (パーティーには何も持ってくる必要がありません。)
9. Don’t have to (〜しなくてもいい)
- Use: To show that something is optional or not required.
- Example: You don’t have to wake up early on weekends. (週末は早く起きなくてもいいです。)
10. Mustn’t (〜してはいけない)
- Use: To express strong prohibition.
- Example: You mustn’t smoke in this building. (この建物内で喫煙してはいけません。)
Each of these modals expresses a level of advice, obligation, permission, or prohibition.
The Randall Sensei 