English for system administrators

f. Other unimportant data you DON’T HAVE TO back up.

We use ___ to express advice.

There is one more verb for strong recommendations, rules or something that you decided to do – ___.

The verb ___ expresses necessity. After this verb we use to.

___ is used to talk about our abilities.

If we’re not sure in something, we use ___ or might. These verbs have almost the same meaning, but ___ is used for asking permissions and also it usually means «likely to happen». Might means «unlikely to happen».

If there is the lack of necessity, use _____. Pay attention that _____ in positive statements means that someone told you to do something.

9. Study the rules:

Modal verbs

Pay attention: in negative sentences and questions before «need to» and «have to» we use do or does.

10. Choose the correct functions of the verbs in bold:

a. Can you please help me? (ask for a permission/obligation)

b. I can speak Japanese. (possibility/ability)

c. He needs to talk to her right now. (advice/necessity)

d. They might be at the meeting. (possibility/obligation)

e. You shouldn’t be worried. (lack of necessity/advice)

f. I have to go to the office. My manager told me to come. (obligation/lack of necessity)

11. Cross out the incorrect modal verb:

1. When there is a problem, you must/shouldn’t troubleshoot it.

2. The computer must/may boot slowly if there are too many programs running.

3. You can’t/shouldn’t insert the USB drive until the computer has finished shutting down.

4. Do I need to/can do this task today?

5. This software can’t/mustn’t integrate with that operating system.

6. Before printing, you don’t need to/should generate a PDF file.

7. You mustn’t/may not maintain the equipment without proper training.

8. You may/need to configure the settings to your liking.

9. I need to/can backup my files before upgrades.

10. Must/May I ask a question?

11. She has to/must do her homework. Her teacher told her to do it.

12. Rewrite the sentences with modal verbs:

a. I know how to upgrade Ubuntu. (can)

b. Mary isn’t sure if he is at work or not. (might)

c. We are obliged to wear a uniform. (have to)

d. Max advises me to quit the job. (should)

e. It’s dangerous to block an emergency exit. (mustn’t)

f. It’s necessary for her to take some pills. (need to)

g. This ticket is a gift for you. It’s not necessary to pay for it. (not have to)

h. It’s possible that Markus is still there. (may)

13. Complete the sentences with your own ideas:

a. Today I must_____.

b. I need to______this week.

c. At my work we mustn’t_______.

d. I don’t have to_______ at work.

e. I can________ but I can’t_________.

f. If a worker has a problem, he should________.

g. I may______next month.

14. Read one more email from Jakob and write the reply using modal verbs. Mind the structure of official emails:

To: Sam Barewell

Subject: System configuration

Dear Sam,