use of modal verbs
| 12:18 Apr 24, 2007 |
| Dutch to English translations [Non-PRO] Education / Pedagogy / exam regulations | ||||
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| 4 +1 | are required to |
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Answers
4 mins confidence: 
peer agreement (net): +1
peer agreement (net): +1are required to Explanation: "shall" is too legalistic and therefore not relevant must is too blunt so I would say "are required to" informally we would say "have to" -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 9 hrs (2007-04-24 21:20:17 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- further: "must" implies a direct order from the speaker. It would be relevant in a message or note to the students before the examination. "have to" implies an order from a third party - i.e. the government or authorities. Unfortunately non-native speakers miss this distinction and so end up sounding rude... Well, I prefer "need to" anyway. "Shall" implies an obligation imposed by another party in contrast to "will". Hope that's all clear then. |
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