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Grammar, compared

Must vs have to vs should

Must and have to are close. Mustn't and don't have to are opposites. Should is advice.

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The short answer

Must, have to / Mustn't, don't have to
Must, have toMustn't, don't have to
I have to wear a uniform. (A rule.)You don't have to wear a tie. (Not necessary.)
You must call your mother. (I feel strongly.)You mustn't park here. (Forbidden.)
She must be tired. (I'm sure.)You should rest. (Advice.)

When to use each

Must, have to and should compared
MeaningFormExample
Rule from outsidehave to, has toI have to work on Saturdays.
Strong personal feelingmustI must remember to call her.
Forbiddenmustn'tYou mustn't use your phone here.
Not necessarydon't have to, don't need toYou don't have to come.
Adviceshould, shouldn'tYou should sleep more.
Sure it is truemust beHe must be at work.

Watch out if you speak Spanish

  • You don't have to is not the opposite of you must. It means you can, but you do not need to. The opposite is you mustn't.
  • Must has no past. Yesterday I had to work, not I musted.
  • Tengo que is usually have to. Debería is should.
  • Ask Do I have to? in normal speech. Must I? sounds formal.

Practice

Grammar practice

Choose or type the answer for each sentence, then check.

  1. 1. You smoke in the hospital. It is forbidden.
  2. 2. It's Sunday. You get up early.
  3. 3. Yesterday I work late.
  4. 4. You look terrible. You see a doctor.
  5. 5. He has worked all day. He be tired.
  6. 6. We wear a uniform at school. It is the rule.
  7. 7. Do I

    pay to enter?
  8. 8. You

    bring anything. Just come!

0 of 8 checked

Questions

Is must the same as have to?
Often close. Must is usually your own strong feeling, and have to is a rule or a need from outside. Have to is more common in speech.
Can I say don't must?
No. Must does not use do. Say mustn't for forbidden, or don't have to for not necessary.

Keep going

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