Modal verbs/must – mustn't and needn't

Das Hifsverb must drückt einen Zwang aus - seine Verneinung mustn't ein Verbot. Das deutsche „nicht müssen“ wird mit needn't übersetzt.

You must keep it a secret.

(it is necessary that you do it)

You mustn’t tell anybody.

(it is necessary that you don´t do it)

You needn’t visit me in the hospital.

(it is not necessary that you do it)

Interactive exercises

1. Janet is ill and lies in bed. Fill in can, must, mustn’t or needn’t!

Janet: Do you think I can get up tomorrow?
Mum: Yes, I think you can, but you needn't go to school.
Janet: That’s good. Do you think I must stay at home for the rest of the week? Mum: Oh no, just for one or two days.
Janet: Must I take any medicine?
Mum: No, you needn't, but you mustn't do any sport for a while.
Janet: Must I see the doctor again?
Mum: Yes, you must, in about three days. But you needn't worry. You‘ll be OK soon.

RULES:

• No jeans!
• Grey or white shirts!
• No smoking!
• Black or brown shoes!
• No food and drinks in the classroom!
• Tennis or swimming in the summer!
• No mobiles in school!
• Football or rugby in the winter!
• work

2. School rules. These are some of the rules at Leonie's school. Read them and complete the sentences. Use must, mustn’t or needn’t!

1. Pupils mustn't() eat in the classroom!
2. Boys must() wear black shoes.
3. Students mustn't() wear jeans.
   They must() wear school uniforms!
4. Boys needn't() play cricket in the winter!
5. Pupils mustn't() smoke!
6. Boys must() wear grey shirts.
7. Pupils mustn't() play on their mobiles.
8. Pupils must() play tennis in the summer.

3. needn’t or mustn’t?

Oh, you already know that, so I needn't() tell you.

During an English test you mustn't() talk to your neighbour.

Tim: “I can walk. You needn't() take me to school today, Dad.”

She’ll be back soon, so you needn't() worry.

In England you mustn't() drive on the right.

4. Fill in must, needn’t, or mustn’t!

When you are ill, you must() take medicine, but you needn't() stay in bed all day long.

My doctor said that I mustn't() eat something late at night. It’s not good for me.

For the job at a tourist board you must() be friendly and of course you mustn't() be bad at English. But you needn't() speak French.

You needn't() wait for me. I’ll be late tonight.

Babies mustn't() take a knife.

When it’s very sunny and hot outside, little children must() use suntan lotion and they mustn't() stay in the sun too long.

Tom’s uncle grows his own vegetables, so he needn't() buy any.

Look, there’s enough time left, we needn't() hurry.

It’s warm, so you needn't() wear your coat now, but you must() take it with you. It might rain later.