Introduction

In this premium episode, we will continue with our series Grammar and Speaking and we’ll talk today about have to and must; the similarities and differences between them and how we can use them in different contexts to be able to express ourselves more efficiently in English.

Audio Episode

Lesson Highlights

Have to

I have to do something = it is necessary to do it, I am obliged to do it:

  • You can’t turn right here. You have to turn left.
  • I have to wear glasses for reading.
  • Robert can’t come out with us this evening. He has to work late.
  • Last week Tina broke her arm and had to go to hospital.
  • I haven’t had to go to the doctor for ages.

We use do/does/did in questions and negative sentences (for the present and past simple):

  • What do I have to do to get a new driving license? (not What have I to do?)
  • Karen doesn’t have to work Saturdays. (not Karen hasn’t to)
  • ‘Did you have to wait a long time for a bus?’ ‘No, only ten minutes.’

You can say I’ll have to … , I’m going to have to … , I might have to … , I may have to … :

  • They can’t repair my computer, so I’ll have to buy a new one. Or … I’m going to have to buy a new one.
  • We might have to change our plans. or We may have to change … (= it’s possible that we will have to change them)

Must

Must is similar to have to. You can say:

  • It’s later than I thought. I must go. or I have to go.

You can use must or have to when you give your own opinion (for example, to say what you think is necessary, or to recommend someone to do something):

  • I haven’t spoken to Sue for ages. I must phone her. / I have to phone her. (= I say this is necessary)
  • Mark is a really nice person. You must meet him. / You have to meet him. (= I recommend this)

We use have to (not usually must) to say what someone is obliged to do. This is a fact, own opinion:

  • I have to work from 8.30 to 5.30 every day. (a fact, not an opinion)
  • Jane has to travel a lot for her work.

But we use must in written rules and instructions:

  • Applications for the job must be received by 18 May.
  • Seat belts must be worn.

We use had to (not must) to talk about the past:

  • I went to the meeting yesterday, but I had to leave early. (not I must)

Mustn’t and Don’t Have to

You mustn’t do something = don’t do it:

  • You must keep this a secret. You mustn’t tell anyone. (= don’t tell anyone)
  • I promised I would be on time. I mustn’t be late. (= I must be on time)

You don’t have to do something = you don’t need to do it (but you can if you want):

  • You don’t have to come with me. I can go alone.
  • I don’t have to be at the meeting, but I’m going anyway.

Have Got to

You can use have got to instead of have to. You can say:

  • I’ve got to work tomorrow. or I have to work tomorrow.
  • When has Helen got to go? or When does Helen have to go?

Lesson Practice

Grammar | Modal Verbs 2 Quiz

Level: Intermediate - Upper-Intermediate
Quiz time: about 10 minutes
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Complete the sentences using have/has/had to … . Use the verbs in brackets.

1. 
Robert can’t come out with us this evening. ______ late. (he / work)

2. 
‘The bus was late this morning.’ ‘How long ______?’ (you / wait)

3. 
I don’t have much time. ______ in ten minutes. (I / go)

4. 
‘I’m afraid I can’t stay long.’ ‘What time ______?’ (you / go)

5. 
Joe starts work at 5 am every day, which means ______ at four. (he / get up)

6. 
We nearly missed the bus this morning. ______ to catch it. (we / run)

7. 
Is Lisa usually free on Saturdays or ______? (she / work)

8. 
There was nobody to help me. ______ everything by myself. (I / do)

9. 
How old ______ to have a driving license? (you / be)

10. 
There was a lot of noise from the street. ______ the window. (we / close)

11. 
Was the exhibition free, or ______ to go in? (you / pay)

Complete the sentences using have/has/had to + the verbs in the list. Some sentences are negative (I don’t have to … etc.):
ask - decide - drive - get up - go - make - make - pay - show - stand

12. 
I’m not working tomorrow, so ______ early.

13. 
Steve didn’t know how to change the settings on his phone. I ______ him.

14. 
Excuse me a moment – I ______ a phone call. I won’t be long.

15. 
You can let me know later what you want to do. You ______ now.

16. 
I couldn’t find the street I wanted. I ______ somebody for directions.

17. 
This car park is free. You ______.

18. 
A man was slightly injured in the accident, but he ______ to hospital.

19. 
Jane has a senior position in the company. She ______ important decisions.

20. 
The train was very full and there were no seats free. We ______ all the way.

21. 
When Patrick starts his new job next month, he ______ 50 miles to work every day.

In some of these sentences, must is wrong or unnatural. Correct the sentences where necessary. If you think the sentence is correct, just write the word correct in the blank.

22. 
It’s later than I thought. I must go.

23. 
I must start work every day at 8.30.

24. 
I must remember to call Sarah tomorrow.

25. 
I couldn’t get a taxi last night. I must walk home.

26. 
You must come and see us again soon.

27. 
Tom isn’t going out this evening. He must study for his exam.

28. 
We can’t go the usual way because the road is closed. We must go another way.

29. 
Julia wears glasses. She must wear glasses since she was very young.

Complete the sentences with mustn’t, don’t have to or doesn’t have to.

30. 
I don’t want anyone to know about our plan. You ______ tell anyone.

31. 
Richard ______ wear a suit to work, but he usually does.

32. 
There’s an elevator in the building, so we ______ climb the stairs.

33. 
I promised Kate I’d call her tomorrow. I ______ forget.

34. 
I’m not very busy. I have a few things to do, but I ______ do them now.

35. 
Sophie likes weekends because she ______ get up early.

36. 
You ______ be a good player to enjoy a game of tennis.

37. 
You should keep trying to find a job. You ______ give up.

38. 
I ______ eat too much. I’m supposed to be on a diet.

39. 
We have plenty of time before our flight. We ______ check in yet.

<a href="https://englishpluspodcast.com/author/dannyballanowner/" target="_self">Danny Ballan</a>

Danny Ballan

Author

Danny is a podcaster, teacher, and writer. He worked in educational technology for over a decade. He creates daily podcasts, online courses, educational videos, educational games, and he also writes poetry, novels and music.

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