Must, should and have to worksheets
62 worksheets, 2 lessons and 1 shadowing script · Modals & verb patterns
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Must, should & have to worksheets
62 printable worksheets with answer keys; the 24 most used, easiest level first.
Must, should & have to lessons
2 ready lessons for the four skills: teach on the board, set online or print.
Must, should & have to shadowing
Listen, repeat, record and compare: short scripts for pronunciation and fluency.
About Must, should & have to
These verbs express obligation, necessity and advice. Must often shows the speaker's own sense of obligation or a strong rule (I must call my mom; You must wear a seatbelt), while have to usually describes obligation from outside (I have to wear a uniform at work). Should gives advice or an opinion: You should see a doctor.
Must, have to and should are introduced at A2 (as simple rules for young learners), with past and perfect forms such as had to and should have at B1–B2 and above. The biggest trap is mustn't vs don't have to: You mustn't smoke here (it's forbidden), but You don't have to come (it isn't necessary). Learners also add to after must and should (*You must to go).
Printable must, should and have to worksheets with answer keys are collected here, ready to print as PDFs or solve online via a class link.
Teaching tips: Must, should & have to
- Use signs and school or workplace rules to contrast must and mustn't with have to and don't have to.
- Set up a problem page: learners read short problems and give advice with should and shouldn't.
- Show that must has no past form: for past obligation use had to (I had to work late yesterday).
- Watch for mustn't used to mean 'not necessary'; a quick concept check is 'Is it forbidden, or is it optional?'
- From B2, introduce should have + past participle for criticism and regret: You should have told me.
Questions teachers ask
What's the difference between must and have to?
In positive sentences they are often interchangeable, although must can sound more personal or formal and have to more external. In the negative the meaning is completely different: mustn't = prohibition, don't have to = no obligation.
Is should weaker than must?
Yes. Should gives advice or a recommendation and leaves the listener a choice; must expresses strong obligation or necessity.
Where does ought to fit in?
Ought to means much the same as should for advice (You ought to rest), but it is less frequent, especially in questions and negatives, so many teachers present it mainly for recognition.