ANOTHER REVIEW OF MODAL VERBS-4
18 / 04 / 2023
Modal Verbs
ANOTHER REVIEW OF MODAL VERBS-4: meaning and examples
Welcome back to the Daily Vitamin, everyone.
Today we look at Must and Have to, two modal verbs that add Obligation to the main verb.
Example 1 (statement with no obligation):
I go to work every morning.
Example 2 (obligation):
I have to go to work every morning.
Example 3 (obligation):
I must go to work every morning.
Many textbooks mark a clear distinction between these two modal verbs of obligation. They say that have to indicates external obligation and must indicates internal obligation (from yourself). In reality, however, native speakers don't always follow this tendency and therefore I usually tell students not to worry about this difference.
Here are a few other things to remember.
1) Must should NEVER include the particle to. This is a VERY common error amongst students; students often say sentences like **I must to go to work.** It sounds horrible, although it is understandable.
2) The negative of must is must not or mustn't. However, the negative of have to is don't have to. We do not say **haven't to**. This is also a very common error.
3) The past of have to is had to, or didn't have to in the negative. There is no equivalent past for must, so it's past is also had to, or didn't have to in the negative.
Example 4 (present):
I must call Mary.
Example 5 (past):
I had to call Mary.
There is one last VERY important point. The negative of have to (don't have to) indicates lack of obligation, NOT negative obligation.
Example 6:
I don't have to call Mary.
This means that I don't have the obligation to call Mary. I can if I want to, but I'm not obliged to.
The negative of must (mustn't) indicates negative obligation.
Example 7:
I mustn't call Mary.
Example 7 means I have the obligation NOT to call her. In 6 I had a choice, in 7 I am being obliged NOT to do something.
If you have any questions about must and have to, you can post your questions or comments on one of our social media sites (Facebook or Twitter) and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Have a great day.
