A2 · Elementary · Travel · 156 words · ~2 min read

🚲 Renting a Bicycle in Amsterdam

Language focus: Modals · should / have to · directions

Before you read

This story is a small course in modal verbs. Have to, should and must not all sound similar in translation but carry very different weight in English: one is a rule, one is advice, and one is a prohibition. Notice which the shop owner uses for what.

On holiday in Amsterdam, Sam wants to explore the city by bike. He goes to a small rental shop near the station.

“You have to leave a deposit,” the owner says, “and you should wear a helmet. Look out for the trams!” Sam picks up a smart blue bike.

He rides along a cycle lane beside a beautiful canal. The cobbles are a little bumpy, but the route is flat and easy to follow.

In the evening, Sam has to drop off the bike and lock it up at the shop. He returns the helmet and gets his deposit back. What a day!

Sam should have booked online, because the queue was long. He had to wait fifteen minutes before the owner could serve him.

He must not ride on the pavement in Amsterdam — the fine is high. He should also use lights after dark, and he has to ring his bell at every crossing.

Key vocabulary (8 words)

rentalnoun: Something you pay to use for a short time; a shop that rents things.
depositnoun: Money you leave as a promise, and get back later.
helmetnoun: A hard hat that protects your head.
lanenoun: A narrow part of a road, often for one type of traffic.
canalnoun: A man-made waterway for boats.
routenoun: The way you take from one place to another.
returnverb: To give something back.
cobblesnoun: Round stones that cover some old streets.

Phrasal verbs in this story

pick up — To pick up means to collect or take something.
drop off — To drop off means to leave or return something at a place.
look out — To look out means to be careful and watch for danger.
lock up — To lock up means to make something safe with a lock.

The grammar in this story

have to for a rule someone else made

“You have to leave a deposit.” “Sam has to drop off the bike.” Have to describes an obligation that comes from outside — the shop’s policy, the law, the timetable. Note it changes with the subject: I have to, he has to. In the past it becomes had to for everyone.

should for advice

“You should wear a helmet.” The owner is recommending, not requiring. Should never changes form and is always followed by the bare base verb: should wear, never should to wear or should wearing. Its negative is shouldn’t.

must not is a prohibition, not weak obligation

“He must not ride on the pavement.” This is the trap: must not does not mean doesn’t have to. Must not means it is forbidden; don’t have to means it is optional. You mustn’t wear a helmet and you don’t have to wear a helmet are almost opposite instructions.

Four phrasal verbs in one transaction

Pick up = collect. Drop off = leave something somewhere. Look out = be careful (usually a warning). Lock up = secure with a lock. Notice that look out for the trams needs the extra for before an object — some phrasal verbs take a second particle like this.

Phrases you can reuse today

Do I have to leave a deposit?: Asking about a rule. Note do at the front for the question.
You should wear a helmet.: Advice. Should plus bare base verb.
You mustn’t cycle on the pavement.: A prohibition — much stronger than shouldn’t.
Where do I drop it off?: Drop off splits around a pronoun: drop it off, not drop off it.

Comprehension quiz

Where is Sam on holiday?
- Amsterdam
- Rome
- London
Show answer
Amsterdam
How does he want to explore the city?
- By bike
- By plane
- By boat
Show answer
By bike
“You have to leave a deposit” expresses…
- obligation
- permission
- a wish
Show answer
obligation
What should Sam wear?
- A helmet
- A suit
- A hat
Show answer
A helmet
He rides beside a beautiful…
- canal
- mountain
- desert
Show answer
canal
“Drop off the bike” means to…
- return / leave it
- sell it
- break it
Show answer
return / leave it

Now use it yourself

Reading builds recognition; writing your own sentences is what turns it into something you can actually say. Three short tasks:

Write three rules you have to follow at work or school, using have to.
Give a visitor to your city three pieces of advice with should.
What must people not do on public transport where you live?