🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Distinguish between strong obligation (must, have to) and prohibition (mustn't, can't)
- Use be allowed to to ask about and state permissions clearly
- Explain workplace rules and professional requirements in detail
- Understand and communicate regulations in everyday and professional situations
📚 Grammar & Skill Focus
In professional life, we constantly deal with rules, obligations, and things that are not permitted. This lesson focuses on the modal verbs we use to express these ideas accurately.
Form & Structure
- Strong obligation: must / have to + base verb
You must wear a helmet. (internal authority or emphasis from the speaker)
You have to wear a helmet. (external rule, policy, or law) - Prohibition (not permitted): mustn't / can't + base verb
You mustn't share your password. (strong, serious rule)
You can't park here. (general prohibition) - Permission: be allowed to + base verb
You are allowed to take a 30-minute break.
Are we allowed to work from home?
Usage Insights
- Have to often shows external obligation (laws, policies, system requirements).
- Must emphasises the speaker’s authority or a non-negotiable rule.
- Mustn't signals a strong prohibition. Can't is also common for “not permitted”.
- Be allowed to is a precise and formal way to discuss permissions.
Discourse Markers for Clear Rules
Use phrases like “According to company policy…”, “Please remember that…”, “It is strictly forbidden to…”, or “It's essential to…” to introduce rules professionally.
Key Tip: Remember that mustn't and don't have to are opposites. Mustn't means “it is forbidden”. Don't have to means “it is not necessary”.
🌍 Context & Real-World Usage
🏢 Professional Scenarios
Compliance: “All new employees must complete the data security training.”
Deadlines: “We have to submit our project proposals by Friday.”
Client Communication: “You mustn't promise a feature that isn't approved yet.”
Team Policy: “You are allowed to manage your own schedule, but you have to attend the daily stand-up meeting.”
🏙️ Everyday Situations
Travel: “On the train, you have to keep your luggage in the designated area. You can't block the aisles.”
Public Spaces: “You mustn't smoke inside the building; you have to go to the designated area outside.”
Appointments: “You are allowed to bring a guest, but they have to sign in at reception.”
🔍 Examples & Analysis
✅ Correct Professional & Daily Usage
- Workplace: “According to the new policy, all staff have to get approval for expenses over €50.” (External rule)
- Workplace: “I must remember to call the client back before I leave today.” (Personal obligation)
- Workplace: “You mustn't access confidential files without authorisation.” (Serious prohibition)
- Workplace: “We are allowed to wear casual clothes on Fridays.” (Permission)
- Everyday: “At the library, you have to be quiet.” (Public rule)
- Everyday: “Passengers must have a valid ticket before boarding the train.” (Formal rule)
❌ Common Business Mistakes
- Mistake: “You must to finish the report by 5 PM.”
Correction: “You must finish the report by 5 PM.” / “You have to finish the report by 5 PM.”
(Modal verbs take the base form, without “to”.) - Mistake: “For the meeting, you don't must wear a suit.”
Correction: “For the meeting, you don't have to wear a suit.”
(Use don't have to for “no obligation”.) - Mistake: “We are allow to use the company car for client visits.”
Correction: “We are allowed to use the company car for client visits.”
(Be allowed to requires the past participle “allowed”.)
🎧 Listening Exercise
Hybrid Work Policy Briefing
Ready
0:00 / 0:00
Speed:
Listening Questions
1. What is the minimum number of days employees must be in the office per week?
2. What is strictly forbidden according to the new policy?
3. What are employees allowed to do regarding expenses?
4. Complete the sentence: “For security, you ______ let anyone into the building without a badge.”