Obligation 2: Past Rules and Permissions
By the end: I can distinguish a past requirement, a choice and permission.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Before you start
Think of a school, club or job you knew. What was required, optional or not allowed?
Useful background: Must, have to and do not have to; past simple.
What was necessary
Use had to plus the base verb for a past requirement. Ask Did you have to…? and use did not have to for the negative form. Had to does not change with the subject.
We had to arrive before nine.
Did you have to bring your own tools?
What was optional
Didn’t have to means there was no requirement. It does not, by itself, tell us whether the person did the action. Add that information when it matters.
I didn’t have to stay, but I stayed anyway.
They didn’t have to pay, so they kept their money.
No requirement leaves room for a choice
Staying was optional, rather than prohibited.
The extra clause states that I stayed.
The extra clause states a different decision.
What was permitted
Was or were allowed to describes past permission; wasn’t or weren’t allowed to describes a restriction. Not allowed to is different from not required to.
We were allowed to use the kitchen.
She wasn’t allowed to take photographs.
Guided practice
Say or write your answer first. Compare the meaning and form; the model is one possible answer.
1. Put in the past: We have to sign in.
Compare a model and explanation
We had to sign in.
Had to expresses the earlier requirement.
2. Make a past question: You had to wear a uniform.
Compare a model and explanation
Did you have to wear a uniform?
Did takes the base form have.
3. Explain the meaning of We didn’t have to attend.
Compare a model and explanation
Attendance was optional; the sentence does not say whether we attended.
Lack of necessity is not evidence of non-attendance.
4. Use allowed: The club permitted us to bring guests.
Compare a model and explanation
We were allowed to bring guests.
Permission in the past uses were allowed to.
5. Use allowed: The organisers prohibited filming.
Compare a model and explanation
We weren’t allowed to film.
A prohibition is not the same as an optional action.
6. Correct: She didn’t had to work late.
Compare a model and explanation
She didn’t have to work late.
After didn’t, use have.
7. Choose the meaning, then explain: We were not allowed to leave. Was leaving optional or prohibited?
Compare a model and explanation
Leaving was prohibited.
Not allowed describes a restriction.
8. Write two sentences: Booking was optional. You booked because the room was small.
Compare a model and explanation
I didn’t have to book, but I booked because the room was small.
Include both lack of requirement and the actual decision.
A short conversation
Listen first if you can, then open the transcript when useful.
Open the conversation transcript
A: Did you have to buy equipment for the course?
B: No, we didn’t. We were allowed to borrow everything.
A: Were you allowed to take the equipment home?
B: Only the small items. We had to leave the larger ones in the studio.
Listening checks
Listen to each extract or open its transcript. These three questions have their own score.
Mastery quiz
Choose the best answer in each situation. Your score is out of eight.
Use it in your own words
Speaking task 1
Describe three rules at a fictional weekend course: one requirement, one optional action and one restriction.
Reveal a possible response
We had to sign in each morning. We didn’t have to bring lunch because there was a café. We weren’t allowed to use phones during the demonstrations.
Success check: Keep required, optional and prohibited actions distinct.
Speaking task 2
Interview a partner about an old school or club. Ask about a requirement and a permission, then a follow-up about their actual choice.
Reveal a possible response
Did you have to wear a uniform? Were you allowed to bring your own food? Did you usually bring it, or did you buy lunch there?
Success check: Do not confuse a rule with what someone actually did.
Speaking task 3
Correct this misunderstanding: I didn’t have to help, so that means I didn’t help. Give a clearer account.
Reveal a possible response
Not necessarily. It means helping was optional. For example, I didn’t have to help, but I stayed for an hour because my friend was busy.
Success check: Explain what the grammar leaves open and supply a possible choice.
Take it with you
I can distinguish a past requirement, a choice and permission.