Talk about rules and obligationsتحدّث عن القواعد والالتزامات

Rules, choices, and the futureLesson 1 · B1 · 10 minutes

In this lesson

Explain a workplace rule to a new colleague.

Try one question before you read

How do you say the obligation was in the past?

The idea, simply

Use have to or has to for a rule or duty that comes from someone else: You have to wear a uniform. Use must for a duty you feel yourself, or in signs and formal instructions: I must call my mother. Passengers must show their tickets. For the past, always use had to, because must has no past form.

Examples

You have to wear a uniform at work.
She has to start at eight every day.
I had to work late yesterday.

Lesson words

ruleقاعدة
Read the rules before you start.
uniformزي موحّد
Nurses wear a blue uniform.
sign inيسجّل الدخول أو الحضور
Please sign in at the desk.
allowedمسموح
Phones are not allowed here.
dutyواجب
It is my duty to help.

Interactive exercises that check themselves; your progress stays in your browser.

Lesson exercises

Put the words in the correct order.
Words: a / at / have / to / uniform / wear / work. / You
Answer
You have to wear a uniform at work.
Complete the gap: Visitors ___ sign in at the front desk.
Answer
must
Choose the correct English sentence.
- He has to finish the report today.
- He have to finish the report today.
- He has to finishes the report today.
Answer
He has to finish the report today.
How do you say the obligation was in the past?
- I had to leave early.
- I must leave early yesterday.
- I musted leave early.
Answer
I had to leave early.
Must has no past form, so we use had to.
Explain a workplace rule to a new colleague.
Model answer
You have to wear a uniform at work.
Compare your answer with the model and check word order, capitals, and punctuation.