In English, there are various ways to express possibility and obligation. As a rule, so-called modal verbs are used for this. They differ from other verbs in that they are not used independently and do not denote a specific action, but only a modality, that is, the attitude of the speaker to a particular action / event. Below we will tell you in detail in which cases such common modal verbs as must, have to, shall, need and may are used.
Must
Must is the most "straightforward" way to say "should", "should". This is a very "strong" modal verb. It is used only in the present tense to express a prohibition, order, or obligation to be fulfilled now or in the near future. The structure of sentences with must is very simple. This verb is used without the to particle and has one form for all persons:
| SINGULAR | PLURAL |
| I must work hard | We must work hard |
| You must work hard | You must work hard |
| He/she/it must work hard | They must work hard |
Here are some examples:
When you drive you must wear a seatbelt. / You must wear seat belts when you drive.
Your colleagues must hand in their projects before the 9th July. / Your colleagues must submit their project by July 9th.
I must remember to send a birthday card to my grandfather. / I must remember to send a birthday card to my grandfather.
John must study harder if he wants to enter the university. / John has to study harder if he wants to go to university.
We must get to the airport three hours before the flight. / We need to be at the airport three hours before departure.
In negative sentences, must is followed by not. However, the abbreviation n't is most often used:
| I mustn't move | We mustn't move |
| You mustn't move | You mustn't move |
| He/she/it mustn't move | They mustn't move |
Mustn't means an order, a strict form of prohibition, or a strict obligation. Let's illustrate this with examples:
When the traffic lights are red one mustn't go. / Don't cross the road at a red light.
They mustn't use their mobile phones at the theatre. / They must not use mobile phones in the theatre.
You mustn't stand up while the plane is taking off. / You should not get up when the plane is taking off.
I mustn't drink any more alcohol, otherwise I will feel bad. / I can't drink alcohol anymore or I'll get sick.
Your sister mustn't go outside without a jacket. She was ill last week. / Your sister is not allowed to go outside without a jacket. She was sick last week.
Passengers must not lean on the doors. / Passengers are not allowed to lean against the doors.
All drivers must not drive without a driving licence. / Drivers should not drive without a license.
Moreover, using the modal verb must, you can make interrogative sentences. To do this, you need to take out must before the subject. A side note: these constructions are outdated and rarely used in modern English. Here are some examples:
Must I go to the reception? I don't really want to. / Do I have to go to an appointment? Don't want to at all.
What time must we come? – Not later than 5pm. / What time should we arrive? – No later than 5 pm.
Must he speak so loud? It's really annoying. / Does he have to talk so loudly? This is very annoying.
why must the children do so many exercises? / Why do children have to do so much exercise?
What must he wear at work? Is there a dress code? / What should he wear to work? Is there a dress code?
Who must we call for an appointment? / Who should we call to make an appointment?
Have to
In affirmative sentences, have to has almost the same meaning as must, and means some kind of duty or obligation. But have to is a more flexible verb. It is used in the present, past and future tenses. For this reason, it is more popular than must. Have to is conjugated just like any other English verb:
| + | — | ? |
| I have to go | I don't have to go | Do I have to go? |
| you have to go | you don't have to go | Do you have to go? |
| he/she/it has to go | he/she/it doesn't have to go | Does he/she/it have to go? |
| we have to go | we don't have to go | Do we have to go? |
| you have to go | you don't have to go | Do you have to go? |
| they have to go | they don't have to go | Do they have to go? |
Here are examples of affirmative sentences with have to:
We have to email the suppliers before they send the goods. / We need to send emails to suppliers before they send their product.
You have to do the shopping because the fridge is almost empty. / You need to go to the store - the refrigerator is almost empty.
My brother has to take a train and two buses to get to work every day. / Every day my brother has to get to work, first by train and then by two more buses.
You have to practice more if you want your English to improve. /You have to study more if you want your English to improve.
All motorcyclists have to wear a helmet. / All motorcyclists must wear a helmet.
If you're a foreigner you have to fill in a special landing card. / If you are a foreigner, then you need to fill out a special immigration card.
Interrogative sentences with the verb have to are used when you need to ask if someone / something is obliged to do. In modern English, such constructions are much more popular than interrogative sentences with the modal verb must. Here are some examples:
What time does your sister have to start work? / What time does your sister have to start work?
Do we have to put down these lectures? / Do we have to record these lectures?
why do they have to work so hard? Because their deadline is the day after tomorrow. / Why do they have to work so hard? Because the day after tomorrow is the deadline.
Does Tom have to wear a tie to work? / Does Tom have to wear a tie to work?
Do I have to bring my passport? / Should I bring my passport with me?
What do they have to leave now? / Why should they leave now?
Negative sentences with have to are very different from negative sentences with must. We use have to to show the absence of an obligation and the need to do something. For example:
When you ride a bicycle you don't have to wear a helmet, but it's a good idea. / It is not necessary to wear a helmet while cycling, although this is a good idea.
She doesn't have to come to the party if she doesn't want to. / She doesn't have to go to the party if she doesn't feel like it.
We don't have to wear uniforms to school in Spain./ In Spain, we are not required to wear uniforms to school.
I don't have to work at weekend so I can do what I want. / I don't have to work weekends, so I can do whatever I want.
Those pupils don't have to read all the books the teacher recommended, just one of them. / Those students do not need to read all the books that the teacher advised them. They only need to read a few of them.
You don't have to pay to use the motorways in Great Britain. They are free. /In the UK, you don't have to pay to drive on the motorway. It's free.
Obligation in the past and future
To express obligation in the past, the past tense form of the verb have to - had to is used. Note that must also changes to had to. The sentence structure looks like this:
| + | — | ? |
| I had to visit them | I didn't have to visit them | Did I have to visit them? |
| you had to visit them | Did you have to visit them? | |
| he/she/it had to visit them | he/she/it didn't have to visit them | Did he/she/it have to visit them? |
| we had to visit them | we didn't have to visit them | Did we have to visit them? |
| you had to visit them | you didn't have to visit them | Did you have to visit them? |
| they had to visit them | they didn't have to visit them | Did they have to visit them? |
For example:
I had to wait a long time for my train. / I had to wait a long time for my train.
We didn't have to show our passports. They accepted our driving licences. / We didn't have to show our passports. They accepted driver's licenses.
Did you have to pay a fine when that policeman stopped you? / Did you have to pay a fine when that policeman stopped you?
The doctor in the hospital told him he had to lose weight. / The doctor at the hospital told him that he should lose weight.
They had to queue up for two hours to get into the museum. They almost missed their flight. / We had to queue for two hours to get into the museum. We nearly missed our plane.
You had to do take part in lot of conferences in your last job, didn't you? / At your last place of work, you had to take part in many conferences, didn't you?
Have to can also be used with other tenses, such as the Present Perfect. In this case, we are talking about obligations that have existed for an indefinite period of time. For example:
We've had to work a lot this month. / This month we had to work hard.
She's had to leave early because her son is sick. / She had to leave early because her son was sick.
Mary and Jim haven't had to go to the doctor for years. They've very healthy children. / Mary and Jim haven't had to go to the doctor for a long time. They have very healthy children.
Also, have to can be used with will to describe an obligation in the future:
Your friend will have to work hard if he wants to get a promotion. /Your friend will have to work hard if he wants to get promoted.
They'll have to hurry up. The film starts in thirty minutes. / They'll have to hurry. The film will start in half an hour.
He won't have to start his job until next week, so he's going on holiday. / He will only have to start work next week, so for now he will go on vacation.
Will you have to pass IELTS if you want to secure that position? / Will you need to pass IELTS to get a job there?
I'll have to train hard for the competition. I am afraid, I'm not fit enough yet. / I will have to train hard for the competition. I'm afraid I'm not very well prepared yet.
You'll have to tell Marie the truth, otherwise she'll be really disappointed. / You will need to tell Marie the truth, otherwise she will be very upset.
Must or Have to?
In what cases should one use must, and in what cases should one use have to? Generally speaking, it is acceptable to use both options in affirmative sentences of the present tense. However, there is a slight difference between them. The difference is that must is often personal. In other words, we ourselves set limits, give ourselves instructions and decide what we should and what not. This is our own will.
These trousers don't fit me anymore. I must lose weight. / I can't fit into these trousers anymore. I have to lose weight.
Meanwhile, have to is impersonal and is used in situations where someone else sets limits and rules for us:
My mother told me I'm overweight and I have to go on a diet. / My mother said I was fat and should go on a diet.
Moreover, the verb must is often found in official documents, protocols and special regulations. For example:
Passengers must keep their bags with them at all times. / Passengers must keep their luggage with them at all times.
Pay attention to the fact that in negative sentences these verbs are translated in completely different ways. Must expresses the strictest prohibition, and have to translates as “you shouldn’t, you shouldn’t, there’s no need” (but theoretically you can do it). Here are some examples:
You mustn't do that! (Don't do it because it is not permitted.) (Don't do this as it's forbidden.)
You don't have to do that. (You have no obligation to do it but you can if you want to.) (There is no instruction or need to do this, but you can do it if you want).
Shall
You can see this modal verb on the pages of many official business documents. It is also often used in formal settings. In this context, shall indicates permission or prohibition. In Russian, this modal verb will be translated by the words “obliges”, “obliges”, “must”. Here are some examples:
Employees shall provide a medical certificate for sick leave. / In order to receive sick leave, employees are required to present a medical report.
The following aspects shall be mentioned. / The following aspects must be mentioned.
Both parties shall give reasonable notice if they cannot attend the hearing. / The representative of each of the parties, if he is unable to attend the hearing, must give advance notice of this.
Hotel guests shall pay for any damage to the rooms. / Hotel guests are obliged to pay for the damage caused to the number of rooms.
Members of the club shall not use the gym equipment without a special permission. / Club members are not allowed to use the gym equipment without special permission.
All participants shall wear your ID badge at all times. / All participants are required to wear special identification badges at all times.
Applicants shall come to interviews with their CVs and copies of their qualifications. / Applicants must bring to the interview a resume and copies of documents confirming their level of education.
The students who want to study in Dublin shall have an interview. / Students wishing to study in Dublin are required to pass an interview.
need
This verb is used to express necessity. Often it has the same meaning as the modal verbs must and have to, which we have already considered. The most significant difference is that need is a much softer and more polite form of obligation. Need is also remarkable in that it can act both as a modal and as a standard ordinary verb:
| + | — | ? |
| I need to stop | I don't need to stop | Do I need to stop? |
| You need to stop | You don't need to stop | Do you need to stop? |
| She/He/It needs to stop | He/she/it doesn't need to stop | Does he/she/it need to stop? |
| We need to stop | We don't need to stop | Do we need to stop? |
| You need to stop | You don't need to stop | Do you need to stop? |
| They need to stop | They don't need to stop | Do they need to stop? |
Here are some examples:
You don't need to buy juice, we have plenty. / You don't need to buy juice, we have a lot of it.
you need to fill up with petrol. The tank is almost empty. / You need to fill up the car. The tank is almost empty.
Do you need anything from the supermarket? / Do you need to buy something at the supermarket?
Y our friends don't need to come so early. They can come whenever they're ready. / Your friends don't have to come so early. They can come when they want.
In modern English, need is used as a modal verb only in negative sentences without the to particle. For example:
You needn't do the washing up. I'll do it later. / You don't have to wash the dishes. I'll wash it myself later.
They needn't complete the project right away. There's plenty of time. / They don't need to finish the project right now. There is still a lot of time.
Little Bob needn't worry about going to the doctor. He's very kind. / Little Bob doesn't have to be afraid to go to the doctor. He is very kind.
N.B. Don't need to and you needn't are similar in meaning to you don't have to.
May
This modal verb is used to politely and formally ask or give permission. The structure of sentences with may is as follows:
| + | — | ? |
| I may come in | I may not come in | May I come in? |
| you may come in | you may not come in | May you come in? |
| he/she/it may come in | he/she/it may come in | May he/she/it come in? |
| we may come in | we may not come in | May we come in? |
| you may come in | you may not come in | May you come in? |
| they may come in | they may not come in | May they come in? |
Explore the examples below:
May I come in? / May I come in?
May I ask you a question? May I ask you a question?
Your brother may have a seat here. / Your brother can sit here.
They may use the equipment as long as they use if carefully. / They can use the equipment, just be careful.
May we have some wine? / Can we have some wine?
Jane may take the exam again. / Jane can retake the exam.
One may not use your phone while driving a care. / Do not use your phone while driving.
So, now that you have a good grasp of these modal verbs, build on your success! Take our test below - there you will find many interesting and useful exercises. Also try to make your own sentences with the words must, have to, shall, need and may. Yes, this is a very difficult topic. But we are sure that over time it will cease to be difficult for you!
In this article, we will compare verbs must, have to And should. We will consider the meaning of verbs in terms of the functions they perform in speech, and find out which verb to choose in a given situation. We will also try to find the most accurate translation for each verb.
must vs. Have to: duty
Verbs must And have to show obligation, obligation, but their meanings are different. Must implies that you believe you have to do something. Do you think it is right and necessary. Must usually translated as "should", "must". Have to translated by the words “have to”, “forced” and shows that you must do something, as circumstances require it. For this reason, the verb must is considered the most “strong” of the verbs showing obligation: what we ourselves believe in is more important and “more obligatory” for us than everything.
I must go now. It's getting dark. - I must leave. It's getting dark.
I have to go now. It's getting dark and I won't catch a taxi to get home. - I forced leave. It's getting dark, I won't be able to catch a taxi and go home.
In the first example, the attitude of the speaker is underlined. He is convinced that one should not walk the dark streets for his own personal reasons: he is afraid, he does not like the darkness. In the second case, the speaker is forced to leave, otherwise he will not be able to go home.
Another important feature of the verb must in this function, it is not used in the past tense. When we talk about an action in the past, we replace must on the had to.
Yesterday I had to meet my parents at the airport. - Yesterday I had meet parents at the airport.
My parents travel a lot. Every month I must meet them at the airport. – My parents travel a lot. Every month I must meet them at the airport.
Mustn't vs. Don't have to: prohibition or lack of need
Must And have to drastically change the value in a negative form. Mustn't shows a prohibition and is translated as “not allowed”, “not to have the right”. Don't have to shows no need. We can take action, but we don't need to. Don't have to translated by the words "do not have", "no need", "no need".
You mustn't use someone's ideas in your book without any references. It's plagiarism. - You you have no right use someone else's ideas in your book without citing the original source. This is plagiarism.
You don't have to use his ideas in your book. They are not that bright. - You no need use his ideas in your book. They are not that bright.
We can use modal verbs to give advice. should And must.
Should conveys the usual advice and is translated by the words "worth", "should".
You should go to the party. It's going to be really interesting. - You costs go to this party. It will be really interesting there.
I think you should see this exhibition. - I think you costs see this exhibition.
In the case of a party, a person is given advice. He has a choice - to go to the party or not to go. In the second example, according to the speaker, going to the exhibition will be useful, but this does not mean at all that the person is obliged to go there.
Verb must we use when we want to give strong advice. Must in these cases it is translated as "definitely follows", "definitely worth", "should".
You must go to that party. It will be great. - You should certainly go to the party. She will be great.
You are an art critic. You must see this exhibition. - You are an art critic. You must see this exhibition.
We do not force a person to do anything. We think that the party will be really cool, so we strongly advise you to go. Similarly, in the case of going to an exhibition: according to the speaker, it will be very useful for an art critic.
Verbs should And have to can be translated as "necessary", "must". Because of this, they are often confused. However, most often we use should to give advice. Verb same have to can sometimes be used to give emotional advice, to persuade a person to do something.
Your apartment is very small. You should change it. Your apartment is very small. You necessary(=worth) changing it.
You have to read this book! - You must read this book!
In the first case, we give advice, because we think that the apartment is too small. In the second case, we really liked the book, and we convince the person to read it.
As described above, the forms have to And don't have to have completely different meanings, and the verb should does not change the meaning in a negative form. Via should we advise what to do with shouldn't we advise what not to do.
He doesn't have to cook because his mom comes to him and does cooking. - To him no need(=don't have to) cook, because his mother comes to him and cooks.
He shouldn't cook for the party because nobody likes his dishes. - To him no need(=should not) cook because no one likes his food.
He should cook for the party. There will be a lot of people. - To him necessary(=should) prepare for the party. There will be many people there.
When choosing a modal verb, you must be guided by the context and understand the exact meaning of this verb in Russian.
Let's summarize. You can see them in a general table with all modal verbs and their functions:
| Modal verb | Function | Translation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Must | Duty | "must", "must" | I must go now. It's getting dark. - I must go. It's getting dark. |
| Persistent advice | “Definitely should/should” | You are an art critic. You must see this exhibition.- You are an art critic. You must see this exhibition. | |
| Mustn't | Ban | “You can’t”, “have no right” | You mustn't use someone's ideas in your book without any references. It's plagiarism.– You are not allowed to use someone else's ideas in your book without citing the original source. This is plagiarism. |
| Have to | Compulsion | "Have to", "have to" | I have to go now. It's getting dark and I won't catch a taxi to get home.- I have to leave. It's getting dark, I won't be able to catch a taxi and go home. |
| Don't have to | Absence of necessity | "Don't have to", "no need", "don't need" | You don't have to use his ideas in your book. They are not that bright. You don't need to use his ideas in your book. They are not that bright. |
| Should (shouldn't) | Advice | "should", "should" ("shouldn't", "shouldn't") | I think you should see this exhibition. I think you should see this exhibition. He shouldn't cook for the party because nobody likes his dishes. He shouldn't cook because no one likes his food. |
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that do not express an action, but describe the speaker's attitude to the action expressed by the main (semantic) verb. They are used with the infinitive of the semantic verb following them, and show the likelihood, necessity or desirability of performing the action expressed by the infinitive.
Modal verbs include: (can, could, must, should, ought to, may, might, will, would, shall, be to, have to, need and dare).
See also related materials on grammar:
Modal verbs are often called deficient because they lack a number of grammatical forms, for example:
1) they cannot be used without the main verb;
2) they do not have any endings to show the person, number or time;
3) they form interrogative and negative forms of the sentence without the help of other auxiliary verbs;
4) after modal verbs, the infinitive is used without a particle - “ to ” (the exception is the verb ought to , be to , have to ).
can- for the present could tobeableto, the meaning of which is the same as the meaning of the verb can, can also be used to replace the missing tenses of the verb can.
Verb can used to express physical or mental ability/skill, possibility/impossibility, surprise, doubt/incredulity, as well as polite requests.
This modal verb has two forms: may- for the present might- for the past tense; expression tobeallowedto, which has the same meaning as the verb may, can also be used to replace the missing tenses of the verb may.
Verb may used to express permission, possibility, suggestion or prohibition.
This modal verb has only one form. But to replace the missing tense forms of this verb can be used tohaveto And tobeboundto.
MUST used to express obligation, prohibition, order, as well as to express the likelihood of an action, assumption, bordering on certainty.
Modal verbsSHOULD/ OUGHTTO
Modal verbs should And oughtto very often considered together, as there is almost no difference between them. They are often interchangeable .
One of the differences is that after should followed by an infinitive without a particle to, while behind the verb ought always followed by an infinitive with a particle to.
When talking about an action in the future or present, we use Indefiniteinfinitive.
When it comes to the past, Perfectinfinitive indicates that the obligation has not been fulfilled.
Modal verbs should And oughtto express advice, the subjective or moral necessity of an action.
Modal verbTOBETO
Tobeto – modal expression, the meaning of which is close to the meaning of modal verbs expressing obligations.
It is used to express a weak order or command, an obligation.
Modal verbTOHAVETO
Tohaveto – modal expression that has three forms: present, past and future.
The negative and interrogative forms of this modal expression are formed using the auxiliary verb do.
TOHAVETO used to express obligation and necessity, depending on the circumstances.
Modern English tends to use G.O.T.TO to express the same value.
Modal verbSHALL
This modal verb is used to express a threat or warning, as well as a request for guidance.
Modal verbWILL
This modal verb is used to express polite requests, permissions, readiness / unwillingness to act.
Modal verbWOULD
This modal verb was originally used as the past form of the verb will, and therefore retained most of its meanings.
It is also used to express polite requests, permissions, willingness / unwillingness to act, as well as to express repeated actions in the past.
Modal verbNEED
This modal verb has only one form - the present. In an affirmative sentence, it is used to express the need to perform an action, while in a negative sentence it is used to express the absence of a need.
Modal verbDARE
This modal verb translates as having the courage to do something. In a negative sense - how not to have the courage to do something. It has two forms - the real dare and past dared.
|
Modal verbs |
Meaning |
Examples |
| physical or mental capability/skill | I can swim very well. - I can swim very well. | |
| possibility | You can go now. You can go now. You cannot play football in the street. - You can't play football in the street. | |
| probability | They can arrive anytime. “They can come at any moment. | |
| astonishment | Can he have said that? - Did he say that? | |
| doubt, incredulity | She can't be waiting for us now. “It can't be that she's waiting for us now. | |
| permission | Can we go home? - Can we go home? | |
| polite request | Could you tell me what time it is now? - Could you tell me what time it is? | |
| permission | May I borrow your book? – Can I borrow a book from you? | |
| assumption | She may not come. She may not come. | |
| possibility | In the museum you may see many interesting things. – You can see many interesting things in the museum. | |
| rebuke - only MIGHT (+ perfect infinitive) | You might have told me that. “You could tell me that. | |
| obligation, necessity | He must work. He must earn money. - He has to work. He has to earn money. | |
| probability (strong degree) | He must be sick. “He must be ill. | |
| ban | Tourists must not feed animals in the zoo. Tourists should not feed the animals in the zoo. | |
|
SHOULD/OUGHT TO |
moral obligation | You ought to be polite. - You must be kind. |
| advice | You should see a doctor. - You should go to the doctor. | |
| reproach, ban | You should have taken the umbrella. You should have brought an umbrella with you. | |
|
TO BE TO |
command, order | You are to go straight to your room now. “You must go to your room now. |
| plan | I was to be there at 5 sharp. I was supposed to be there at five sharp. | |
|
TO HAVE TO |
necessity (forced, forced) | As I was to be there at 5 sharp, I had to take a taxi. Since I had to be there at five sharp, I had to take a taxi. |
| decree, duty | These rules shall apply in all circumstances. These rules will apply under any circumstances. | |
| a threat | You shall suffer. - You will suffer. | |
| request for guidance | Shall I open the window? - Shall I open the window? | |
| readiness, unwillingness/refusal | The door won't open. - The door won't open. | |
| polite request | Will you go with me? – Can you come with me? | |
| readiness, unwillingness/refusal | He would not answer this question. He will not answer this question. | |
| polite request | Would you please come with me? “Could you come with me. | |
| repetitive/habitual action | We would talk for hours. - We talked for hours. | |
| need | Do you need to work so hard? Do you have to work so hard? | |
|
NEEDN'T |
absence of necessity | She needn't go there. She doesn't need to go there. |
| Dare | How dare you say that? - How dare you say that? |
Does it exist difference between modal verbs like must and have to? Of course, there is, otherwise such a huge amount of materials on this topic would not be published. First, these verbs are used differently in negatives and questions. So, must is a completely independent verb that does not need do/does; what can you say about have to. But the latter can be used at all times, unlike must, which has no form at all for past simple.
Difference between must and have to
The meaning of the two modal verbs also indicates that difference between must and have to exists. If we want to emphasize that a person is obliged to do something in our opinion or according to some rules, then we need must. When it becomes necessary to perform an action due to certain circumstances, it is better to use the modal verb have to.
Examples:
You must do your English homework every Monday! You have to do your homework every Monday!
It is getting dark. I have to leave. - It's getting dark. I have to (I have to) go.
As you can see, the main difference between must And have to in that have to expresses a softer obligation. A person simply has to do something for some reason, and not because there is a rule or strict direction to follow.
The use of the modal verb must
As noted above, use of the modal verb must only possible in the present. But if it is important to express the obligation in the past, you can use have to for past simple. In other words, this results in:
HAD TO = MUST in the past!
Examples:
He had to get up earlier last week. He had to get up earlier last week.
They had to tidy up all house themselves. They had to clean the whole house themselves.
The question arises: how to understand which modal verb was used in the past tense, if must And have to do they have the same shape? Very simple: pay attention to the context, there will definitely be some explanation.
It is worth noting that must does not always serve to express an obligation or the need to do something according to the rule. Often this modal verb helps to express the speaker's belief or assumption about some action.
Examples:
Where is Mark? – He must be in the garden.
Where is Mark? He must be in the garden.
She must have already finished her report. She must have already finished the report.
If your proposal must serves to express an action that should have happened in the past in your opinion, then you will no longer need had to and as it is called, the perfect infinitive. Remember that the use of a modal verb must is not limited to the expression of obligation.
The use of must and have to. Examples
Let's fix use of must and have to considering the following suggestions.
|
example |
translation |
|
Must the students do all these exercises today? |
Do students have to do all of these tasks today? |
|
I had to do that. There was no choice. |
I had to do it. There was no choice. |
|
Bob has to walk to school, his bicycle is broken. |
Bob will have to walk to school, his bike is broken. |
Hello dear readers. Let's talk about debt today. No, do not rush to click on the cross, I continue in general, about.
What's your take on the word "should"? In childhood, we were so tortured with the words “you must” or “you can’t”, which, I think, is not positive for everyone. Even at all kinds of trainings, speakers are advised to avoid such words as “should”, “should”, so as not to cause negative emotions and feelings in the audience that they will have to do something against their will.
But I must say, this word can express a different meaning: I need it, it's important, I strongly recommend it, I have a moral obligation, and so on.. How are these meanings conveyed in English?
Let's see how the modal verb is different must from have to.
Try to guess what is the difference between them by examples:
I have to work. - I have to, I have to work.
The air is polluted in Beijing. I must wear a mask. - The air is polluted in Beijing. I must wear a mask.
How do these verbs differ from each other?
The main difference is that the modal verb must is personal in nature (internal obligation, duty). Simply put, the translation of the word "must" sounds like "should, must."
Have to in English, more often denotes an obligation due to external reasons, used in situations where someone has established these conditions for us.
However, this difference is not so significant in affirmative sentences. What can not be said about denial:
I don't have to buy souvenirs. - We are not obliged (we are not obligated) to buy souvenirs.
We mustn't park here. - We can't park here.
That is a modal verb have to when negated in English, it simply means the absence of necessity (I am not obliged, I don’t have to do something, no one forces me), while the negative with the verb must means a prohibition (it’s impossible, it’s forbidden to do something).
Let's take a closer look at these verbs.
Have to
Verb have to is used much more often than must, and denotes the need to do something, moreover, due to external circumstances.
Grammatically, this verb is weak. It behaves like a regular verb in English, changes in tense, changes form, requires negatives and questions when forming.
That is, you can’t say I haven’t to do - I have to do. You can't say Have you to do? - Do you have to do?
| Approval (+) | Negative (-) | Question (?) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The present | I/you/we/they have to go. He/she has to go. | I/you/we/they don't have to go. He/she don't have to go. | Do I/you/we/they have to go? Does he/she have to go? |
| Past | We had to go. | We didn't have to go. | Did you have to go? |
| Future | I'll (will) have to go. | I won't (will not) have to go. | Will you have to go? |
Sometimes in colloquial speech you can find this form:
I' ve got to+ V = I have to+V
I have to go = I' ve got to go.
Surely in American films you have heard more than once: I gotta go. This is an abbreviated colloquial version of I’ ve got to go, and it means the same thing - "I must go."
Must
Unlike the previous verb, must is grammatically strong, that is, it does not require auxiliary verbs to form negatives and questions, it does not change its form.
In negative sentences, we simply add the particle not- must not (mustn't). Pay attention to the pronunciation - [ʹmʌs(ə)nt]
| Approval (+) | Negative (-) | Question (?) |
|---|---|---|
| I must report. | You mustn't smoke here. | Must I do it now? |
Must does not have a past tense form, so it uses the equivalent of have to, that is, in the past - had to.
That is, for example, the sentence I must do it"-" I must do this "in the past will sound like" I had to do it". - "I had to do it", and in the future " I’ ll have to do it- "I'll have to do it."
There is also a form with the past participle to express the past tense, but this is only in the meaning of a logical conclusion, a guess (point 4). For example, He must have seen it. - He must have seen it.
Let's take a closer look at the meaning of this verb:
- Obligation (rather internal), necessity, duty
I must tell her everything. - I have to tell her everything.
- Written instructions
You must return books on time. - You must return the books on time.
You mustn't park your car here. - Parking is not allowed here.
- Strong recommendation (stronger than )
You must read this book! - You just have to read this book!
- The conclusion must be
You must be tired. - You must be tired (that is, now tired).
He must have known it. - You must have known this (that is, you knew it in the past).
If you must - expresses agreement to something, but reluctantly.
Do you mind if I smoke here? - If you must… - Do you mind if I smoke? - Well, if you so need ... (but I agree reluctantly).
Must-see, must-know, must-have, etc.
It's one of the world's must-see cities. - This is one of those cities in the world that everyone should see.
Summary
The main differences between must and have to in the table
| Must | Have to |
|---|---|
| Strong (DOES NOT require auxiliary do/does/did for questions and denials) | Weak (requires auxiliary do/does/did for questions and denials) |
| Personal commitment (In positive sentences, the meaning is similar) | External circumstances (In positive sentences, the meaning is similar, in colloquial speech it is used more often) |
| Doesn't change over time. | It changes over time, has the form of a gerund. |
| After it, the particle “to” (I must to go) is NOT put. | After it, the particle “to” (I have to go) is placed. |
| In denial, it means "no" | In denial, it means "not necessary, not necessary" |
| It has additional meanings of inference (he must have left - he must have already left), a strong recommendation. |
Well, I fulfilled my moral duty with pleasure - I shared with you a piece of my knowledge. Enjoy your language learning, study not only because you “must”, but also because you want to!
