What is the difference between must have to. What is the difference between must and have to? Cases of using the verb Have to

We have analyzed 3 bases of modal verbs. Let's repeat these points again, and then consider the remaining modal verbs:

1. Modal verbs do not change in tense and do not take any endings;
2. Modal verbs are at the same time auxiliary verbs;
3. After modal verbs, the infinitive goes without to .

There is one very good modal verb that satisfies all these conditions without any exceptions. This verb is must . It is most often translated into Russian as "must, must." As a rule, we use it when we want to express unquestioning obedience to something.

• You must obey the federal law. - You must follow federal law.
• All employees must sign this document. - All employees must sign this document.
• People mustn't be indifferent. - People should not be indifferent.

As you can see, we use must when it comes to stable traditions and laws, be they moral or legal.

• The negative form mustn "t can be used to express prohibition:
• You mustn't leave the house after 10! - You are not allowed to leave the house after 10!

From must different verb - have to . It is not modal appearance, but is such by value. He also conveys duty, but of a different kind. Let's look at the difference in meaning between must And have to .

As stated earlier, must - this is an expression of subordination to GENERAL laws; that is, you realize that you must do something, because it is accepted in society.

have to - this is an expression of subordination due to PRIVATE circumstances. A more appropriate translation for it is "to be forced, to have to." That is, you must do something, because something forces you to do it.

• My car has broken down. I will have to take a taxi. - My car is broken. I will have to take a taxi (= I have to take a taxi).
• Compare: I must go by car because it's the fastest way to get to the airport. - I have to go by car, because this is the fastest way to get to the airport (i.e. it is a common truth - the car is the fastest, so you choose this mode of transport).

But despite the difference must And have to interchangeable. Unlike must , have to changes over time and takes on different endings. Therefore, if you really need to show this time and at the same time keep the modality, then instead of must use have to .

• I have to go on a business trip next week. - Next week I will have to go on business.
• Last month we had to finish the project. - Last month we had to finish the project.
• She must apologize. - She has to apologize.

Naturally, have to - this is an ordinary verb, so we act with it according to tradition: we add, if necessary, endings, auxiliary verbs, etc. The auxiliary verb in this case is do .

• They have to leave. - They must leave.
• They don't have to leave. - They don't have to leave. - They shouldn't leave.
• Do they have to leave? - Yes, they do. / No, they don't. - Do they have to leave?

There are such pairs of modal verbs that allegedly have the same translation into Russian, but different semantic shades, and therefore different cases of use in English. Such pairs of words are often something like "false" equivalents. Today we will continue to deal with such pairs of verbs and consider the following modal verbs:

• must — must
• have to — must
• ought to — must

Modal verb must used to convey the need to perform an action under the influence of certain circumstances, and is also used when expressing advice or an order

It does not have the forms of the past and future tenses, therefore, if necessary, it is replaced by have to.

• We will have to be at the park by 8 o'clock, if we want to see her. — We have to be in the park by 8 o'clock if we want to see her.
• He had to rewrite his essay. — He had to rewrite his essay

Must used in the following cases:

Characteristics of the modal verb have to

Modal verb have to has the ability to reflect the categories of number and person, which almost all other modal verbs are not capable of

• He has to work 9 hours a day. He has to work 9 hours a day
• They had to prevent us. They should have warned us

The second characteristic is the particle -to, characteristic of only a few modal verbs.

• You have to answer this question. — You must answer this question

To build a negative and interrogative sentence with a modal verb have to need an auxiliary word to do

• Do you have to write the essay? — Do you have to write an essay?
• He doesn't have to be here. — He shouldn't be here

Modal verb must used to convey the need to perform an action due to certain circumstances that force

• We have to hold meeting in this room according to timetable. — According to the schedule, we have to hold a meeting in this room.

Modal verb have to has close meaning have got to. However, the boundaries of their use are clearly separated by the rule:

Have to c is used with actions that are frequently repeated, and have got to with concrete action

• She has to make bed every morning. — She has to make her bed every morning
• She has got to wash the dishes today. — She has to wash the dishes today

About the modal verb ought to

This verb has only one form and, like the previous verb, has a particle -to before the main verb. Modal verb ought to rarely used in interrogative and negative sentences. You can meet him in such sentences only in a formal text:

• We ought not to discuss this problem. — We should not condemn this issue.
• Ought I to read this letter? — Should I read this letter?

Ought to use:

1. To indicate a moral duty, obligation, or advice:
   • You ought to say only the truth. — You must prepare only the truth
2. To express a legitimate assumption:
   • They have done such a difficult task and they ought to be all-out. - They completed such a difficult task, they must be exhausted

   Right to in colloquial English is used more rarely than the verb related to it in meaning should, which has gained wider usage among English speakers. In the following short video you will learn about the modal verb should.

Video: About modal verbs Must, Have to, Should, Ought to

In English there is a whole category of words that can be safely called special, different from other groups of vocabulary. These words are modal verbs: Can, Could, Must, May, Might, Should, Need, Have to. Although they are not used as independent lexical units, since they express only the necessity, ability or possibility of performing an action, their role in the language is incredibly great. What are these words and when are they used?

Can

Can is considered to be the most common word in the modal group. Thanks to him, we can communicate that we can / can do something or are capable of something.

Can is used to refer to:

• intellectual or physical real opportunity do something;
• requests, permission, prohibition;
• doubts, distrust, surprise.

But it must be remembered that the modal verb can itself does not denote an action, so it must be followed by another verb that directly indicates the execution of the process. This rule applies to all other words discussed below.

could

Must

The modal verb must denotes an obligation, namely:

• an obligation or some kind of duty due to personal beliefs, principles, traditions;
• advice, recommendation or order;
• the probability / assumption of the action.

Must is used not only in the present tense, but also in the future. It is important to remember that in all cases its shape does not change.

May

The modal verb may indicates the possibility of performing an action or the assumption of such a possibility. IN general meaning it is translated as you can / can / can, etc. May is used when it is necessary to express:

• the objective possibility of performing an action that nothing and no one interferes with;
• a formal request or permission;
• doubtful assumption.

Might

Might is the past tense form of May. Also used to indicate the possibility/request/opportunity to perform an action. One of the special meanings of the word Might is an expression of slight condemnation or disapproval. Interestingly, although the modal verb might is considered the past tense, it is used to indicate the execution of a process both in the present and in the future.

The modal verb should is similar in meaning to Must, but is not as strict. So, Should is used when the task is to express an obligation or duty, stylistically weakened to a recommendation or advice. Should is also used to indicate reproach or regret due to the fact that the desired action was not previously performed or can no longer be performed.

need

The modal verb need should be used to express a need or urgent need for an action. Accordingly, if Need is present in a negative construction, it means that there is no need / permission to do something. Need is also found in interrogative constructions - here it indicates doubts about the appropriateness of the process in question.

home distinguishing feature Have to in that it denotes the obligation to perform actions due to specific circumstances. Based on this, the modal verb have to is recommended to be used only when it is necessary to indicate the compulsion of actions due to the current situation, and not personal desires. Have to can be used at all times, but each has its own form: the present - Have to or Has to, the past - Had to, the future - Will have to.

Without a doubt, without modal verbs it is impossible to build a competent and stylistically neat speech. Therefore, when choosing ways to learn English, which you can familiarize yourself with, be sure to include the study of this category of vocabulary in the chosen methodology. Moreover, now you have a useful theoretical base that will help you successfully cope with the task.

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 in his 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 absolutely 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 need to 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:

In English, there is such a thing as may, must, should or be able to. Three of them are translated into Russian by the same word - "should". They are just one of the most frequent confusions of Russian-speaking people. But what then is the difference between should, if their meanings are approximately similar?

In fact, they are not very similar. All of them are translated as "should", but have different emotional meanings. Let's try to understand this, what is the difference between should, must and have to.

Should

This modal verb is used when we give someone friendly advice or some soft recommendations. This can also be translated into Russian as "should". When it's cold outside, we say to a close friend, "You should put on a jacket!" But at the same time, a friend can either listen to advice, or do as he wants. That is, should does not imply any mandatory action.

• I think Mary should find a job. - I think Mary should find a job.
• Jonh should listen to his parents more often. John should listen to his parents more often.
• You should be kinder to your children! They are so nice! - You should (you should) be kinder to your children. They are so sweet!

In some cases, should can take a more blunt form, depending on the context in which it is used:

• You should do what I ask! - You should (you should) do what I ask!

This modal verb can also be used to ask for the same kind of friendly advice or recommendation:

• Should I buy that red dress? Should I buy that red dress?

Must

What is the difference between should and must? The difference between should and must is that the second modal verb can rigidly explain some obligatory action that someone MUST and MUST do. Often must is some kind of moral duty, for example, the duty to defend one's country or to obey the law. That is, this modal verb is used when you are talking about some of your own beliefs or about generally accepted rules and laws.

• Every man must think about the environment. - Every person must think about the environment.
• I am a soldier, and soldiers must follow instructions. - I am a soldier, and soldiers must follow instructions.
• You must be stronger and forget about him! - You should be stronger and forget about him!

In negative sentences, it acts as some kind of sharp, categorical prohibition to do something. Usually translated as "no".

• You must not lie to me! - You can't lie to me!
• You are too weak, you musn "t smoke! - You are too weak, you can't smoke!
• Alice musn "t be here, and you know that. - Alice can't be here, and you know it.

Must is usually not used in an interrogative form and does not change from time to time, for this there is the next word - have to.

Have to

This word is not a modal verb, like the previous two, but is also translated into Russian as "should". It is used when talking about some kind of forced action: "I had to", "I was forced." You can also translate have to as "to be forced", "required", "have to".

Let's give simple examples in Russian.

If a person has poor eyesight, he has to wear glasses to see normally. Mary wanted to go out with her friends, but she had to stay at home to look after her little brother. Alex and Jessica said a quick goodbye because Alex had to leave town at five.

In all these cases, the English version uses have to.

• She has a myopia. That "s why she has to wear glasses. - She has myopia. That's why she wears (she has to wear) glasses.
• Sorry, Jessica, I have to go now. My bus leaves the city at five o "clock. - Sorry, Jessica, I have to (I have to) go now. The bus leaves the city at five o'clock.

Unlike must in negative sentences, it means that there is no need to do something or that some action is not mandatory. Whereas must certainly means a categorical prohibition to do something.

• You don "t have to help us with all this stuff. - You don't have to (no need) help us with all this stuff.
• You didn't have to make desicion by yourself, so it's Ok, Lucy. “You didn’t have to decide everything on your own, so it’s okay, Lucy.

Have to is used in interrogative sentences with auxiliary verbs to ask about the need to do something. Often translated into Russian by the word "necessary" or "necessary".

• Do I really have to learn history? - Do I really need to learn history?
• Will I have to go shopping? - Do I need to go shopping?

Have to as an analogue of must

Depending on the time, have to can change and replace must in the past and future tenses.

• Mary had been invited to the party, but she had to look after her younger brother. - Mary was invited to the party, but she had (she had to) look after her younger brother.
• Actually, you had to turn right. - Actually, you should have (you should have) turned right.
• Mike, you will have to do all housework, make meal, feed the cat and call us every day after your classes while we are not home. - Mike, you will have (you will have to) do all the housework, cook food, feed the cat and call us every day after class while we are not at home.

Since must is not used in the past or in the future, have to can be substituted to indicate a past or future must, as shown in previous proposals. Also used in interrogative sentences instead of must:

• Do I have to follow all these rules? - Do I have to follow all these rules?

Ought to and should: what's the difference?

We have already discussed the difference between should, must and have to, but there is another modal verb that is similar in meaning to the verb should, but is much less common. They are very often confused, all of them, one might say, are almost similar. But still there is a slight difference in their use.

In many cases, they can replace each other, since both indicate advice or recommendation. However, should is used much more often in interrogative sentences and any formal or more polite advice. And ought to is more an expression of an obligation based on any personal beliefs, a sharper remark to do something right.

• Alice ought to ask her parents before making such decisions! - Alice should (it would have been more correct) to ask her parents before making such decisions.
• Your ought to be more understanding to his problem. - You should be more understanding about his problems.

The verb ought is not used in the future tense, and most often the time is clear from the context. Also, it does not change in faces.

• You ought to go with us tomorrow. - You should come with us tomorrow.

We can say that outgh to is the brother of the modal verb should, but with a touch of obligation. Although in any situation where ought to can be used, should can also be used.

In the article, we have analyzed the difference between should, must and have to and provided examples to better understand their meanings.