The modal verbs have to and must are very similar in meaning. Both of them are translated as must, must. And they talk about a duty or obligation to perform some action. The difference between have to and must is: must is used when we are talking about debt associated with an internal need, and have to - when the debt is associated with external reasons.
External reason, is an external force that forces you to perform an action against your will. The boss forces you to go to work, the policeman forces you to drive through the street when the light is green, the teacher forces you to do your homework, etc. To put it simply, if instead of “I must...” you can say “I was obliged to...”, then when translating the phrase into English you need to use the modal verb have to. Examples with the verb have to:
I have to do my homework.
I have to do my homework.
You have to bay an insurance policy.
You must buy an insurance policy.
Internal need, this is when you are prompted to perform an action by a sense of duty or your beliefs. We take care of our children not because we are forced to do so, but because of an internal need. We give up our seat to an old man on public transport because we believe that every well-mannered person should do this. Thus, if instead of “I should...” you can say “I believe that I should...”, then in English version suggestions need to be used verb must. Examples of sentences with the modal verb must:
We must help our parents.
We must help our parents.
I must study more because i want to become a good doctor.
I should study more because I want to become a good doctor.
Negative form: the difference between mustn"t and don"t have to.
I think you now understand the difference between the modal verb must and its cousin have to. But everything written above applies exclusively to affirmative sentences. IN negative sentences The difference between the verbs is completely different.
In negative sentences we use mustn"t to talk about a strict, categorical prohibition. In these sentences mustn"t is translated prohibited, forbidden, you have no right.
The verb have to in negative sentences sounds less categorical than must. He is not talking about a ban, but about no need perform an action. When something can be done, but not necessary.
The difference between the verbs will be better understood with an example:
You mustn"t travel by car without driving license.
You cannot travel by car without a driver's license. (Ban)
You don't have travel by car. A train is faster and more comfortable then a car.
You shouldn't travel by car. The train is faster and more comfortable than the car. (Absence of necessity)
Past tense: what to use must or have to.
The verb must does not have a past tense form. The verb must is also not used in the future tense. To talk about duty or obligation in the past and future tenses, always use have to instead of must.
In the past tense, the modal verb have to takes the form had to, in the future - will have to.
You had to help me.
You should have helped me.
I will have to bay you a new car.
I'll have to buy you a new car.
The difference is in sentence structure.
Must and have to form interrogative and negative sentences in different ways. Must is a classic modal verb, which does not require the auxiliary verb do to form questions and negatives. The structure of a sentence with the verb must is as follows:
subject + must + verb + all the rest
subject + mustn"t + verb + all the rest
question word + must + subject + verb + all the rest
But the modal verb have to cannot do without the auxiliary verb do. The sentence structure will be like this:
- For an affirmative sentence:
subject + have to + verb + all the rest
- For a negative sentence:
subject + don't have to + verb + all the rest
- For an interrogative sentence:
question word + do + subject + have to + verb + all the rest
I must answer this letter. (= I have to answer this letter.)
I must answer this letter.
Forms of the modal verb must:
MUST is used in all persons and can refer to the present and future tense.
I must do it now. I have to do this now.
I must do it tomorrow. I have to do this tomorrow.
In the past time must used only in indirect speech.
Negative form: must not (mustn’t).
Interrogative form: must I? etc.
Interrogative-negative form: must I not? (mustn’t I?), etc.
Instead of a verb must verb can be used have to in the present and future tenses, and in the present and past tenses in colloquial form it is used have got to, had got to etc.
In the past tense instead of a verb must verb used have in the past tense followed by an infinitive with to (had to) or had got to.
The interrogative form of the phrase have to is formed using the auxiliary verb to do, and have got to - by placing the verb have before the subject.
The negative form of the phrase have to is formed using the auxiliary verb to do, and have got to - by posing a negation not after the verb have.
There is not much difference in meaning between interrogative forms in present time Have I got to? And Do I have to? etc. no, but the latter is preferable for expressing habitual actions. There is not much difference between have forms to in past tense Had I (got) to? And Did I have to? etc., however the latter is preferable.
Future turnover time have to is formed in the same way as the future simple indefinite tense when using any other verb.
Why does he have to go there? (=Why has he got to go there?)
Why should he go there?
I don't have to go there. (= I haven’t got to go there.)
I don't need to go there.
We didn't have to go there with John.
We didn't have to go there with John.
Did he have to go there with her?
Did he have to go there with her?
Will he have to ask her about it again?
Does he really have to ask her about this again?
I shan’t have to go to that place again.
I won't have to go there again.
Using the verbs must and have to
In the affirmative:
1. Must- to express moral obligation, obligation, imposed by someone or emanating from the speaker, as well as internally realized necessity.
You must make your bed yourself.
You must make your own bed.
Go if you must.
Go if you have to (if you think it's necessary).
I must go immediately.
I need to go immediately (since it may be late, etc.).
Have to- to express an obligation, but caused by circumstances.
You will have to make your bed yourself when you join the army.
You'll have to make your own bed when you join the army. ( The army obliges you to do this.)
He has to get up at 7 o'clock.
He must get up at 7 o'clock. ( Circumstances force him - for example, he studies on the first shift.)
Please note:
For the 1st person this difference is less significant.
Have to usually used to express a common action, often repeated, turning into a habit.
Must used to express an extremely necessary, important action.
I have to be at my office at nine every day.
I have to be at work every day at 9 o'clock.
We have to water this cactus twice a month.
We have to water this cactus twice a month.
I must ring him up at 10. It’s very important.
I have to call him at 10 o'clock. It is very important.
2. Must- to express urgent advice or invitation. In such cases it is translated into Russian (necessarily) must, (certainly) must.
You must come and see our new house. It's so lovely.
You should definitely come and see our new house. He is so beautiful.
You must read this article.
You should definitely read this article.
In question form:
1. Must and its equivalents have to And have got to- to express obligation and necessity. At the same time, the equivalents have to and have got to are more common in these meanings in the question than must, since they do not convey additional shades of reluctance, irritation, etc., characteristic of the use of the verb must, which means “necessarily must.”
Must I go there immediately?
Do I have to go there immediately?
When does he have to go there? (When has he got to go there?)
When should he go there?
2. Have to used more often than must to express an obligation in the future, forced from the outside.
Shall I have to answer your question? When will you have to do it?
Do I need to answer your question? When will you need to do this?
3. Have to and (less often) must used to express a common action that is often repeated.
Child: Must I clean my teeth tonight?
Child: Should I brush my teeth tonight?
Do you have to wind your watch every day?
Do you have to wind your watch every day?
In the negative form must not or need not is used.
Must not - indicates that the action is prohibited.
Need not - shows that there is no need to perform an action.
You must not speak like that to your mother.
You shouldn't talk to your mother like that.
You mustn't miss your lectures.
You shouldn't miss lectures.
If you have a headache you need not go to school.
If you have a headache, you shouldn't go to school.
In answers to questions starting with a verb must, used in an affirmative answer must, in the negative - needn't.
Mustn't also has the meaning of a categorical prohibition ( cannot, must not, prohibited), and therefore this form is typical for prohibiting messages to children, expressing warnings in advertisements, etc.
You mustn't go there anyway.
In any case, you can't go there.
Mustn’t is also used to mean “cannot” in a negative answer to the question May...? (Is it possible...?).
May I take that pen? -Can I take that pen? -
No, you mustn't. No you can not.
2. Must used to express an assumption. At the same time, notice the difference in the use of structures
must + Indefinite Infinitive and must + Perfect Infinitive
Must + Indefinite Infinitive used to express probability, assumptions that the speaker believes
quite plausible. This combination translates it should probably be and is used in relation to action in the present tense.
They must know his address.
1. They must (probably) know his address.
2. They must know his address.
Not must be in the library now.
1. He must be in the library now.
2. He should be in the library now.
Must + Perfect Infinitive is used to express a possibility, an assumption of the same nature, but in relation to the past tense, and is also translated as it should probably be.
They must have known his address.
They must have known his address.
They must have forgotten my address.
They must (probably) have forgotten my address.
She must have gone to her parents.
She must have gone to her parents.
Rules for reading a phone number on English language. When reporting your own or another phone number, each digit of the phone number is called separately.
In English, modal verbs express the speaker's attitude towards the content of the utterance. In one of our previous articles, we already looked at the main characteristics of modal verbs and talked about the verbs can and may.
Continuing this topic, we will look at the features of using another group of modal verbs: must, have to, be to.
Must
Must is a pure modal verb that has only one form and can characterize an attitude to action in the present or future tense. After must the semantic verb is used in the initial form without a particle to:
You must take the pills.- You must take your medicine.
You must finish the work tomorrow. - You must finish work tomorrow.
1. Must expresses the need to perform any action due to personal beliefs, circumstances, principles and is translated must, must.
This verb is the most categorical in this group. IN affirmative sentences it expresses the greatest degree debt And strong recommendation, and in negation it will take on the meaning categorical prohibition:
He must see the doctor. - He needs (simply necessary, otherwise the matter will end in tears) to see a doctor./ circumstances
We must see the film. - We must watch this film (this cannot be missed)./ personal beliefs
He musn't enter my room. - He is forbidden to enter my room./ a categorical prohibition in a commanding tone
2. In the second person (when using the pronoun you) modal verb must expresses direct order:
You must listen to me. - You have to listen to me.
3. In function must includes the expression assumption that borders on certainty. We're talking about a high probability here (surely it should be):
You must be joking. - You must be joking.
He must be ill. - He's probably sick.
For expression negative probability (probably not/must not be) a negative adverb should be used never or negative particles/prefixes.
It should be noted that the proposal will acquire the character of a categorical prohibition as soon as must attaches not. Compare two examples:
You must never have seen this film. - You must not have seen this film.
You mustn't see this film. - You shouldn't watch this film.
Linguists classify verbs be to And have to to modal equivalents, since these verbs can also be used independently in a sentence and be auxiliary.
Have to
In the meaning of modality have to expresses the need to perform an action that is caused by circumstances (forced, will have to, must). Here comes the complete absence of voluntary aspiration:
I have to finish this painting. - I need to finish this picture(although I no longer have any desire to do this).
She had to come to the party. Her boss asked her to. - She had to go to the party because her boss asked her to.
1. Verb have to cannot form interrogative and negative sentences independently and needs the help of an auxiliary do/ does/ did:
Do you have to make the report? - Do you really need to make a report?
2. In negative sentences have to speaks from no need and expresses the meaning not necessary, not necessary:
3. Unlike must modal verb have to used at any time in any form. Moreover, it is the form had to is the equivalent must in the past time:
I must do it. - I must do it./ Present Simple
I had to do it. - I had to do it./ Past Simple
Be to
Be to V modal meaning expresses the need to perform an action due to some schedule or plan. In most cases, the use of this verb directly depends on the indication of the time frame:
We are to leave in 20 minutes. - We have to leave in 20 minutes.
1. Be to can be used in the present and past tense and express duty/position. It is presented in its forms depending on the person performing the action:
He was to come in an hour. - He was supposed to come in an hour.
When are you to see the doctor? - When will you see the doctor?
2. Also be to used to express categorical ban. Similar sentences can be found in the rules of use or rules of conduct in public places:
Visitors are not to take photos. - No photography allowed.
3. In modal meaning be to expresses fundamental impossibility any action:
This research is not to be done in one day. - This research cannot be done in one day.
They are not to grow up in one night. - They won't grow overnight./ It's impossible.
We wish you interesting practice and success in your studies!
Victoria Tetkina
In English, the importance of modal verbs is difficult to overestimate. In order to use them correctly, you need to remember a few simple rules.
So, I dedicate this article to the modal verbs have to, need to, should and ought to.
Modal verb have/has to.
Have/has to– “must/should.” “have to” is most often used in spoken English. Used at all times. With the pronouns “I, you, we, they” you must use “have”, and with “he, she, it” you must use “has”. This rule also applies to the following modal verb.
I have to feed my dog in an hour.
(I have to feed my dog in an hour)
She has to look after my kids during these two hours.
(She must look after my children during these two hours)
Have/has got to– “must/should.” In fact, there is no difference in meaning between "have got to" and "have to". But there is one peculiarity. "Have got to" is only used in affirmative form in present time. If you forget this rule and use it, for example, in interrogative sentence, then this would be a grave mistake.
We have got to rest after this hard work.
(We should rest after this hard work)
Modal verb must.
Must– “must/should.” The thing about "must" is that it is a very formal verb. In everyday speech it is not used, but "have (got) to". That is, the word is suitable for official communications, for the speech of politicians, in official documentation, etc. And yet, “must” is used only in the present tense, but unlike “have got to”, it can be used in both negative and interrogative sentences.
The whole world must do something to prevent global warming.
(The whole world must do something to prevent global warming)
Modal verb need to.
Need to– “need”, unlike the previous modal verbs, “need to” is a less “categorical” option. That is, you don’t have to, you don’t have to do something, you just need to do it.
Our company needs to hire some new employees.
(Our company needs to hire new employees)
Modal verb should.
Should– “should/must have, should.” "Should" expresses:
1. Expressing an opinion;
I thing you should visit George before his departure.
(I think you should visit George before he leaves)
2. Expression of expectation;
His train should arrive soon.
(His train should arrive soon)
3. Regret about the past.
I should have guessed that he cheated on me.
(I should have known he was cheating on me)
P.S. In the future tense, you cannot use “will” together with “should”, but the correct word would be “should be able to”.
We should be able to achieve our goal.
(We must be able to achieve our goal)
Ought to– “should/must have, should.” “Ought to” and “should” are the same thing, it’s just that “ought to” is the official version of “should.”
Our manager ought to change his job.
(Our manager should change his job)
Now you know all the modal verbs in English. Have fun studying with us!
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HAVE TO
Have to is used in the sense of “under the influence of external circumstances, I need to do this and that.” Or also in our meaning “I have to.” Those. I myself don’t want to, but others are forcing me. I would be happy not to, but if I don’t, it will be bad.
Example: " Sorry,Ican'tgo -Ihave to domyhomework” - “Sorry, I can’t go, I have to do my homework.”
This means that a person wants to go, and does not want to do his homework at all, but, alas, he is forced to do it and therefore, no matter how much he wants, he cannot go where he wants.
In this sense, have to is often used as a polite excuse for something in the spirit of “I’m very sorry, I would love to stay, but, alas, the stars have aligned in such a way that I am forced to leave you... but I really like you and, if If I had such an opportunity, I would spend a lot more time with you, but alas” - “I’m very sorry, but I have to go.”
MUST
Must is when you need it not because someone or something forces you. But because you decided so for yourself. Because this must be done to achieve some of your higher-order goals. For example, you decided for yourself that now you will get up early every day. Accordingly, you cannot stay for the late party.
In this case, say this: “I am sorry, but I must go.” This means “sorry, but I have more important things to do. I have to go." This is a tougher form, the previous one is more polite.
NEED
Need is a need. When you say "I need something", this means "I I need in something". In the case of action, you need action. All in the same example: “I need to go” means “I need to go.” This expression emphasizes your dependence on something. Roughly speaking, you want to get a job at a company. You need her, she doesn’t need you. Then say “I need to join that company.”
The difference from have to here is that no one and nothing forces you. You're just in a low position.
SHOULD
Generally speaking, should is rarely used and is confused by many with must. However, there are differences between them, albeit subtle ones.
So, should means rather what you want relies do something in accordance with your social role, status, position. For example, you can often hear the phrase “You shouldn’t be doing that!” This means "You don't should do this! This, for example, happens when a person climbs somewhere where he is not supposed to. For example, he goes into the boss’s office and rummages through his desk. Those. should is used when we are dealing with social ideas about how you should must to act, but how not to.
Also, should is a designation of sacred Duty. For example, in front of the Motherland or Senior. “I should join this war” - “My duty is to join this war.”
CONCLUSION
Let me remind you once again that all of the above are not rules, but nothing more than my personal observations. Works about 80% of the time. However, it is precisely the understanding of such subtleties that distinguishes someone who actually knows the language from someone who knows it on paper. It’s unlikely that ordinary teachers and professors will explain this to you, you can check :)
