In English there is such a concept as may, must, should or be able to. Three of them are translated into Russian with the same word - “must”. They are precisely one of the most common confusions among Russian-speaking people. But what then is the difference between should, if their meanings are approximately similar?
In fact, they are not very similar. They all translate as "should" but have different emotional meanings. Let's try to figure this out, what is the difference between should, must and have to.
Should
This modal verb is used when we give someone friendly advice or some kind of gentle 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 obligatory action.
- I think, Mary should find a job. - I think Mary should find herself 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 cute!
In some cases should can take on a cruder form, depending on the context in which it is used:
- You should do what I ask! - You should (you must) do what I ask!
Using this modal verb, you can also ask for the same 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 strictly explain some obligatory action that someone is OBLIGED and MUST do. Often must is some kind of moral duty, for example, the duty to defend one's country or obey the law. That is, this modal verb is used when you talk about some of your own beliefs or generally accepted rules and laws.
- Every man must think about the environment. - Every person is obliged to 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 must be stronger and forget about him!
In negative sentences it acts as some kind of sharp, categorical prohibition to do something. Usually translated as "not allowed".
- You must not lie to me! - You can't lie to me!
- You are too weak, you must not smoke! - You are too weak, you cannot smoke!
- Alice musn't be here, and you know that. - Alice cannot be here, and you know it.
Must is usually not used in the interrogative form and does not change tenses, for this there is the following word - have to.
Have to
This word is not a modal verb like the previous two, but is also translated into Russian as “must”. It is used when talking about some forced action: “I had to,” “I was forced.” Have to can also be translated 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 because she had to look after her younger brother. Alex and Jessica quickly said 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 obligatory. 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 (there’s no need) to help us with all this.
- You didn't have to make a decision by yourself, so it's Ok, Lucy. “You didn’t have to decide everything yourself, 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 with the word “need” 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 the food, feed the cat and call us every day after class while we are not home.
Since must is not used in the past or future, have to can replace it to show an obligation in the past or future, as shown in the previous sentences. 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 there is still 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 of an expression of an obligation based on some 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 of his problems.
The verb ought is not used in the future tense, and most often the tense is clear from the context. It also doesn't change based on 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 some shade of obligation. Although in any situation where ought to can be used, should can also be used.
In the article, we looked at the difference between should, must and have to and gave examples to better understand their meanings.
Our whole life consists of rules and obligations: we must or are obliged to do something, we have to do something, we have to obey some rules. In English to express a function obligations And obligations (obligation [ˌɔblɪ"geɪʃ(ə)n]) there is a modal verb must . Must indicates the obligation and necessity of performing some action. Must, like some other modal verbs, has a substitute (equivalent) - have to .
In this article we will talk about the modal verb must and its equivalent have to, consider the grammatical features of their use, as well as the differences in meaning.
Grammatical features of the verb must.
Must is a modal verb, so it does not change in gender and number and is used with the main verb in first form (V1):
In the must statement it is translated as “must, obliged”:
I must listen to the teacher at the lesson. - I have to listen to the teacher in class.
He must pay me back tomorrow. - He must pay me back tomorrow.
We must pay the taxes. - We have to pay taxes.
To form a negative form, the negative particle not is added to the verb must, abbreviated mustn"t:
You mustn't open the door.
She mustn"t tell this information to anyone.
They mustn't use their mobiles at the meeting.
Note that the shortened negative form is pronounced ["mʌs(ə)nt] or ["mʌsnt]. We will leave examples of negatives without translation for now; in the next part of the article you will find out why.
To form the interrogative form, must is placed before the subject:
The most common mistake is using the particle to with the modal verb must. Remember the rule: with modal verbs to is NEVER used. However, this rule does not apply to equivalents of modal verbs.
Equivalent to must: have to.
Must, like most modal verbs, does not have past or future tenses, infinitives, gerunds, or participles. What if we need to express the function of obligation in the past tense or in the future, or we want to say a super complex construction with an infinitive or gerund?
There is an equivalent for this must: have to. Unlike must, have to has several forms: two forms of the present tense ( have to / has to ), past tense form ( had to ) and future tense ( will have to):
I must work every day/ now. - I have to work every day.
I had to work yesterday. - I had to/I had to work yesterday.
I will have to work tomorrow. - I have to work tomorrow.
If it is necessary to use an infinitive, gerund or participle form, have to is also used. Such sentences are translated into Russian in different ways:
It's terrible to have to work long hours. - It's terrible when you have to work late.
We hate having to clear up the mess after cooking. - We hate that we have to clean up after cooking.
Having to look after my sister, I couldn't go out. - Since I had to look after my sister, I couldn't go for a walk.
Let's look at a table that shows the different types of statements with must in different tenses:
Have to not only replaces must in the past and future tense, but is also used in the present tense, along with must. The third person singular (he, she, it) uses the form has :
I have to call him. - He has to call me.
We have to organize this event. - She has to organize this event.
In the present tense, the negative and interrogative forms are formed using auxiliary verbs do And does . Pay attention to the examples, which we will leave without translation for now:
Do you have to wait for him?
Does she have to pay for this picture?
We don't have to give excuses.
He doesn't have to arrive earlier.
In the past time have to And has to take the form had to:
I had to visit him yesterday.
She had to find the information.
They had to spend the evening with their parents.
Past tense negative and interrogative form equivalent have to is formed using the auxiliary verb did:
I didn't have to call them yesterday.
He didn't have to ask for help.
They didn't have to pay in cash.
Did you have to deal with phone calls?
Did she have to sort out the papers?
Did we have to finish the project yesterday?
In the future tense, different types of utterances with have to are formed using the auxiliary verb will:
We will have to work on Saturday.
She will have to catch up with the group.
They won't have to read the rules again.
You won't have to answer the phone.
Will he have to book the tickets in advance?
Will they have to leave their coats in the cloakroom?
Meanings.
We will devote a separate part of our article to analyzing the meanings must And have to in different types of utterances.
Must and have to in statements.
As already stated above, must in the statement conveys obligation, duty, necessity(obligation, necessity): must, must.
Have to can also be used in present tense affirmative sentences. The meanings of must and have to are different, despite the similar translation. Let's look at two similar examples:
I must go home. - I have to go home.
I have to go home. - I have to go home.
Must conveys an internal obligation, that is, something that the speaker considers obligatory to fulfill because he I decided so myself; have to indicates an external obligation: something that is imposed by someone, prescribed by some rules. Let's look at examples:
I promised mother not to be late today. I must go home now. - I promised my mother not to be late today. I have to go home.
(Internal commitment: the speaker himself made the decision)
The party is awesome but mother called me and told to go home. I have to go home. - The party was amazing, but my mother called me and told me to go home. I have to go home.
(External obligation, coercion: the speaker does not make the decision himself)
I "ve put on weight. I must cut down on chocolate. - I have gained weight. I must eat less chocolate.
(Personal decision)
I saw my doctor yesterday. I have to cut down on chocolate. - I met with the doctor yesterday. I need/should eat less chocolate.
(Doctor's order)
He must go to London to visit his family. - He must go to London to visit his family.
(He himself decided to go and considers it his duty)
She has to go to Berlin to negotiate the contract. - She must/she will have to go to Berlin to negotiate the terms of the contract.
(The decision was made by her superiors, she will have to carry it out)
We must work hard if we want to pass the exam. - We must work hard if we want to pass the exam.
(We understand the importance of the exam)
We have to wear school uniform. - We must wear school uniforms.
(This is imposed on us, this is not our decision).
Must and have to in negatives.
Have to and must in negatives are a clear example of how logic can lead to misunderstanding and mistakes. Based on the fact that must And have to mean almost the same thing in statements (with the exception of the above nuances), sometimes students believe that in negatives they should have the same meaning. This is fundamentally wrong, because in negative sentences must And have to completely different in meaning.
Mustn't transmits ban(prohibition), translated "not allowed, forbidden". Let's look at the examples that we previously left without translation:
You mustn"t open this door. - This door is prohibited from opening.
She mustn"t share this information with anyone. - She is prohibited from sharing this information.
They mustn"t use their mobiles at the meeting. - They are prohibited from using mobile phones at the meeting.
It is also used to express the prohibition function in English.
Don't have to means there is no need ( lack of necessity ). Don"t have to in negatives can be translated as "this is not necessary; no need":
You don"t have to bring vine. I have bought enough. - You don’t have to bring wine. I bought enough.
We don"t have to give excuses. - We don’t have to apologize.
He doesn't have to arrive earlier. - He doesn't have to arrive earlier.
Besides don't have to no need to convey expressions don't need to And needn"t :
You don"t have to help me. = You don"t need to help me. = You needn"t help me. - You don’t have to help me.
Negation in the past tense didn"t have to indicates the absence of the need to do something (" there was no need", "didn't have to"):
I didn't have to take a bus. The shop was round the corner. - I didn't have to take the bus. The shop was around the corner.
She didn't have to introduce herself. We had met before. - She didn’t have to introduce herself. We met before.
Must and have to in questions.
Must and have to have different meanings in questions.
When asked a question with must, they want to know personal attitude of the interlocutor whether he insists on action, whether he considers action necessary:
A question with have to clarifies whether an action is necessary for the speaker:
Do you have to wait for him? - Do you have to wait for him?
Do we have to book a table? - Do we have to book a table?
Let's look again at the differences in meanings must And have to in different types of utterances:
Necessity for the future.
The need for the future is expressed by the form will have to, but if we are talking about agreements(arrangement), then it is preferable to use have to. Compare:
If I get this job, I will have to work hard. - If I get this position, I will have to work hard. (I haven't received the position yet)
This is a very important task so I have to work tomorrow. - This is a very important task, so I will have to work tomorrow. (Agreement, specific situation in the future)
The design may be used to indicate future need have got to. Meaning and translation is the same as have to, but is mainly used in colloquial speech:
I"ve got to e-mail him today. - I need to send him a letter today.
She "s got to babysit her brother tomorrow. - She must sit with her brother tomorrow.
Don't forget that the modal verb must has other functions besides obligation. For example, used for .
Learn grammar and communicate fluently in English! I wish you success!
And subscribe to our communities at
Good afternoon As mentioned in the previous article on modal verbs, there are pairs of modal verbs that supposedly have the same translation into Russian, but different semantic shades, and therefore different cases of use in English. Such word pairs often represent 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
When to use the modal verb 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 order
It does not have forms of 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 at 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 must 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 have to answer this question
To construct a negative and interrogative sentence with a modal verb have to need an auxiliary word to do
- Do you have to write the essay? — Should you 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 must hold a meeting in this room
The modal verb must is used to convey the need to perform an action due to certain circumstances that force Modal verb have to has a similar meaning have got to. However, the boundaries of their use are clearly separated by the rule:
Have to used with actions that are often repeated, and have got to with specific actions
- She has to make bed every morning. — She has to make the 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, standing before the main verb. Modal verb ought to extremely rarely used in interrogative and negative sentences. You can meet it in sentences of this kind only in formal text:
- We ought not to discuss this problem. — We should not condemn this problem
- Ought I to read this letter? — Should I read this letter?
Ought to is used:
- To indicate moral duty, obligation or advice:
- You ought to say only the truth. — You must cook only the truth
- To express a natural 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
Ought to in spoken English it is used more rarely than a verb related to it in meaning should, which has gained wider use 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
Uses of the verb Must
- To express urgent advice or command, both to oneself and to others.
- To express the suggestion that something may be plausible or probable.
Features of the use of the verb Must
- The construction must have + past participle is used to express an assumption that relates to the past.
- Must is not used to express ought in the past tense. The verb used for this is had to.
- Must be used in indirect speech to express a past action.
Examples
- Must I finish this exercise now? – Should I finish this exercise now? (the need to perform an action)
- It is almost 8 o"clock. You must hurry up - It’s almost 8 o’clock. You need to hurry up. (urgent advice or order)
- This must be the right answer - This must be the correct answer. (expression of assumption)
- I can't find my wallet. I must have left it at home - I can't find my wallet. I must have left his home. (an expression of an assumption that refers to the past)
- I knew there must be some solution – I knew that it should have been some kind of solution. (used in indirect speech to express a past action)
- You must not touch bare wires - You must not touch bare wires. (order)
#2 Modal verb Have to
Uses of the verb Have to
- To express the need to perform an action.
- To express the likelihood of something (more often used in American English).
Features of the use of the verb Have to
- In interrogative and negative sentences it is used with the auxiliary verb do/does/did/will, etc.
- Verb form changes depending on time.
Examples
- You don"t have to make a decision right now - You don’t have to make a decision right now. (no need to take an action)
- My sister is short-sighted. She has to wear glasses – My sister is nearsighted. She has to wear glasses. (necessity)
- Do you have to go shopping today? We can do it tomorrow together – Do you need to go shopping today? We can do this tomorrow together. (necessity)
- We are still on the way. It has to be further than we thought – We are still on the way. It must be further than we thought. (expression of assumption)
- You had to turn left at the crossroads - You had to turn left at the crossroads. (not the speaker’s personal opinion, but a necessity due to certain circumstances)
- You will have to send her an e-mail - You will have to send her an e-mail. (necessity)
#3 Modal verb Should
Uses of the verb Should
- To express a need, advice, recommendation.
Features of the use of the verb Should
- The construction should have + past participle is used when talking about events in the past that did not happen or could/could not happen.
- Used in indirect speech in relation to the past tense, if the verb should was used in direct speech in the sentence. In other cases, the verb should not used in the past tense. Instead, was/were supposed to is usually used.
Note
The constructions should have + past participle and to be supposed to are close in meaning and can often be interchanged. However, the design should have + past participle carries a greater connotation of criticism and regret, while the construction to be supposed to is less categorical and more common in colloquial speech.
Examples
- It is cold outside. You should put on a jacket – It’s cold outside. You should wear a jacket. (advice)
- He should have learned this lesson by now - He should have already learned this lesson. (we are talking about an event in the past that could have already happened)
- They said we should not wait for them - They said that we should not wait for them. (indirect speech, provided that the verb should was used in direct speech)
- Why don"t you call them? The car should be fixed by now - Why don’t you call them? The car should already be repaired. (probability)
- Should I follow the instructions? – Should I follow the instructions? (please give advice or recommendation)
- She was supposed to introduce me to him (NOT She should introduce me to him) – She had to introduce me to him. (we are talking about the past tense, in which case the expression was supposed to is used instead of the verb should)
#4 Modal verb Ought to
Uses of the verb Ought to
- To express obligation, advice, recommendation.
- To express the probability of something.
Features of the use of the verb Ought to
- The construction is used in relation to the past time when the event did not occur.
Examples
- You ought to listen to your parents - You must listen to your parents. (expression of obligation)
- Hurry up! You ought not to miss your train – Hurry up! You mustn't miss your train. (advice, recommendation)
- Ought we to start the speech now? – Should we start speaking now? (the speaker asks for advice)
- His behavior ought to improve after this talk - His behavior should improve after this conversation. (probability expression)
- The plane landed an hour ago. They ought to have gone through the customs by now – The plane landed an hour ago. They are already should have passed through customs. (design ought to have + past participle; The example shows that the action did not occur)
#5 Difference between Must and Have to
- The verb Must is used to express personal feelings speaker. The verb Have to is used when speaking about facts and about necessity due to certain circumstances.
- The verb Must is used when talking about the present or future, but not the past. The verb Have to is used in all tenses.
- When forming negative and interrogative sentences, the verb Have to requires the use of auxiliary verbs do/does/did/will, etc.
- Must not is used when it is important not to do what is being discussed in the sentence. Do not have to is used when something is not needed, but it can be done (depending on the desire of the speaker).
Examples
- You must change your diet to lose some weight - You must change your diet to lose weight. (personal opinion of the speaker)
- You do not have to drink so much water - You may not drink so much water. (no need for this)
- You must not drink so much water - You must not drink so much water. (this is a ban)
- You have to turn left at the crossroads - You must turn left at the intersection. (not the speaker’s personal opinion, but a fact)
#6 Difference between Must and Should/Ought to
- The verb Must expresses a higher degree of obligation. The verb Must is more often used in orders, regulations, etc. The verbs Should and Ought to are more often used in advice and recommendations.
- In assumptions, the verbs Should and Ought to indicate a lower degree of confidence of the speaker than the verb Must.
- In logical inferences and conclusions, the verb Must is used.
Examples
- It is cold outside. You must wear a coat – It’s cold outside. You must put on your coat. (higher degree of obligation, order)
- In weather like this you should wear a coat - In this weather you should wear a coat. (advice, recommendation)
- The dinner must be ready now - Dinner must be ready. (high degree of confidence of the speaker)
- The dinner should be ready now - Dinner should be ready. (lower degree of speaker's confidence, assumption)
- Are they on holiday? They must be having a great time! -Are they on vacation? They must be having a great time! (logical conclusion, conclusion)
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 used only in the affirmative form in the present tense. If you forget this rule and use it, for example, in an interrogative sentence, it will 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!
» Necessity modal verbs: have to, must, need to, should, ought to.