Must/Mustn't and Have to

Obligations and Prohibitions

​Obligations

We use Must to say that something is compulsory.​

​Example: You must always check around before crossing the road

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We can also use Have to, to say that something is compulsory.​

Example: ​Esteban has to study if he wats to pass the exam.

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​We can use both must and have to when something is mandatory.

Intensivo 4 | 2022

Obligation and choices

​Prohibitions

We use Must not (Mustn't) to say that something is prohibited and can't be done.

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Example: You mustn't use your phone while driving => The match must not start until de referee says so.

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​Every time we have either must or mustn't that action can't be changed it has to be done or not done.

Intensivo 4 | 2022

Obligations and choices

Don't have to and Have to

Questions and choices

​Have to in questions

We use Have to in questions when we want to ask about rules or obligations.

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Examples: ​Does María has to carry her ID card during the travel? => Do we have to wear our masks at the theatre?

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If we use have to in sentences the meaning is compulsory.​

Intensivo 4 | 2022

Obligations and choices

​(Not) have to

We use (not) have to when we want to say that something is not necessary and you can choose whether you do it or not.

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Examples: You don't have to wear your masks in the theatre => María doesn't have to carry her ID card during the travel.

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Remember that we say prohibitions with mustn't, but don't have to means that you can choose between two options, something is not necessary but you still can do it if you want.​

Intensivo 4 | 2022

Obligations and choices