Free Advanced English Grammar Lessons - CEFR C1

Passive Modals of Obligation

Hear or read three conversations using passive modals of obligation.

Lesson 8 - Passive Modals of Obligation

Script
Grammar
Quiz

Conversation 1

Man: So, what needs to be done?
Woman: Lots needs to be done.
Man: OK, such as?
Woman: First, all the documents need to be proofread. Then they need to be formatted.
Man: OK, I can do that. Do these need to be translated?
Woman: No, you can leave that for me.
Man: OK, great. I'll get right on it.

Conversation 2

Woman: Is your new house finished yet?
Man: No, lots still needs to be done.
Woman: Yeah, such as?
Man: Well, the walls still need to be painted, and the wiring still needs to be done.
Woman: Well, at least you're getting close to the end.
Man: True, but until then, no rest.

Conversation 3

Man: What needs to be done for the party?
Woman: Lots. Let's see. First, the tables need to be set, and the chairs need to be brought down from upstairs.
Man: I can do that.
Woman: Great, but the chairs might be dusty. They may need to be wiped off first.
Man: OK, no problem. Do you have any towels?
Woman: I do. But they're in the washer. They might need to be dried first.
Man: Actually, you know what, they might work better if they're damp.
Woman: Good point. The washer is over there.

Passive Modals of Obligation Grammar Rules

Point 1: Modals can take the passive tense. The object becomes the main focus, for the subject is not important.

The reports need to be edited.
- We need to edit the reports.
These packages must be delivered today.
- We need to deliver the packages today.
The employees need to be notified.
- We need to notify the employees.
The staff needs to be paid.
- We need to pay the staff.

Point 2: The passive infinitive uses the following pattern:

modal + to + be + past participle.

The software needs to be updated.
The chairs need to be brought in from outside.
The dogs need to be fed.
The dishes need to be put away.

Point 3: The particle ‘to’ is usually heavily reduced in spoken English.

The lawn needs to be cut.
The report needs to be printed.
The data needs to be analyzed.
The forms needs to be collected.

Point 4: The subject and the modal must use subject-verb agreement. The verb ‘be’ does not change form.

The staff needs to be paid.
The workers need to be paid.
The dog needs to be fed.
The dogs need to be fed.
This has to be done today.
These have to be sent today.

Point 5: Modals of obligation can be in the form of questions and negative statements.

What cups needs to be washed?
The red ones. The blue ones don't need to be washed.
Do these packages need to be sent?
No, they don’t need to be sent.
Does the staff need to be paid?
No, they don’t need to be paid.

Point 6: The modals of likelihood will, may and might can precede the modals of obligation need to and have to.