The have to / must modal verbs always puzzle learners of English. They have difficulty recognizing the functions of these words. The bottom line is that they are really quite similar in use, but still have a different shade. Moreover, have to / must , the difference between which is so difficult to distinguish by students, have different specifics in the formation of sentences in time. Here we will talk about all these nuances today in our article.
What is a modal verb?
To begin, let's look at what a modal verb is. Hearing the word "verb", many understand it literally, that is, the commission of some action. This is an erroneous perception. The fact is that modal verbs do not express any action. They express the attitude of the talking person to a certain process. So, we can say: "I play the piano." Here the action takes place directly, and the simple semantic verb “play” is involved. And you can say:
- I can play the piano.
- I have to play the piano.
- I have to play the piano.
- I should play the piano.
- I can’t play the piano.
In this case, with the same action, different modal verbs express different attitudes to it: to be able, to govern, advise, reproach, forbid - all these are functions of modal verbs. For this purpose, can, should, must, have to, need are used . The difference between them is just in a different way. Depending on what you want to express, you need to take the appropriate modal expression.
What do verbs have in common?
Why did we decide to take the verbs
have to / must ? The fact is that they are very similar in their functions. Both are used in the meaning of "obligation." Especially confusing is the situation when we need to use these verbs in the past or future tense. The fact is that one of them has no forms at these times, and the verb needs to be replaced so that the information is conveyed reliably and clearly for the person who speaks English to you.
Have to / must: difference
If we talk about the differences between these modal verbs, then there will be much more points. In addition to the main, semantic, there is also a difference in the availability of temporary forms, as well as a different approach to the formation of different types of sentences. Here the basis is the form of verbs. One of them is strong, and the other is weak. From here comes the difference in the formation of interrogative and negative sentences. Both verbs have to, must can be used in similar structures, but each of them behaves differently. Moreover, lately, must has become less and less used due to the fact that people more often began to use the meaning of “obligation” as an influence from the outside. And the meaning of the word as an awareness of a sense of duty on the part of the speaker is used much less frequently.
Application feature have to
Must is a verb that is easier to learn. What can not be said about his opponent. Let's understand all the intricacies of having
to .
In the modal function, this verb has weak properties. This is done so that people do not confuse the use of it as a semantic strong “have” in other ways. What does it mean? This means that in the formation of interrogative sentences, as well as negatives, an auxiliary verb is used. For instance:
- I have to get up early. I have to get up early.
- Do you have to get up early? Are you forced to get up early?
- I do not have to get up early. I don’t need to get up early.
As you can see, this verb does not behave in sentences the way we are used to observing the behavior of a strong “have”. (Have you a dog? I have not any sugar.)
Here it is worth remembering that, like the semantic verb known to us, have has two forms that are used depending on the person and the number of subject in the sentence.
- I, you, we, they have to get up early.
- He, she, it has to get up early.
The next feature of this verb is the presence of temporary forms. So, in the past tense the had to form is used, and in the future tense - will have to.
- I had to get up early. I was forced to get up early.
- I will have to get up early. I will be forced to get up early.
We draw attention to the fact that in all proposals the emphasis is not simply on duty, but on compulsion, that is, on the influence of factors other than human desire. In this case, both in the past and in the future, the verb also uses help to raise questions and negate.
- Did you have to get up early? Have you been forced to get up early?
- I didn't have to get up early. I did not need to get up early.
- Will you have to get up early? Will you be forced to get up early?
- I won't have to get up so early. There will be no need for me to get up so early.
Must Application Feature
We turn to the second representative of this shade of modality. With the verb
must, the situation is somewhat simpler. Firstly, it has a rather simple meaning - “should”. Everyone understands it exactly as it should. A man, by virtue of his own conviction, must perform some action. In the presence of a negative particle, a ban is expressed on the commission of a process.
- I must go to this party. I have to go to this party. (I understand that I have to do this).
- They must buy the house. They have to buy a house. (They understand that they need it).
- He must not do it. He should not do that.
The peculiarity of this verb is that, like most modal words, it is strong. This means that when building questions and negatives, he does not need anyone's help.
- I must not go to this party. I should not go to this party.
- Must you buy the house? Should you buy a house?
Another distinguishing characteristic of this word is the presence of only one form for all persons, numbers and tenses. If it became necessary to use a similar expression in the past or future tense, then the known we have to come to the rescue with its own set of temporary forms.
- I had to go to this party. I had to go to this party.
In addition to this meaning, must is also used in the meaning of “must be” when expressing doubt with a touch of confidence, as opposed to uncertain may.
- He must have fallen ill. He must have gotten sick.
- He may have fallen ill. He probably got sick.
And the last nuance is the categorical absence of a particle to to after the verb.
Difficulty in using
Difficulties in applying are not only with the verbs
must and have to . Grammar is a rather complicated science, and requires attentiveness, patience and perseverance. Only under such conditions will all rules and their exceptions obey you. The biggest difficulty is not even in choosing the verb itself, but in applying its desired form. The use of auxiliary verbs
do, does, did a lot of difficulties. Students often try to make a weak verb strong and vice versa. Only practice and constant training will make the use of these words on an automatic level.
Summary table
Now, summing up, I want to collect everything in one table for additional clarity of the difference and general characteristics of these two words. So, the verbs must and have to , the rule of use:
Must | Have to |
obligation, supposition, prohibition | obligatory duty due to circumstances |
strong | weak |
does not use auxiliary verbs | uses the verbs do, does, did to form questions and negatives |
1 face: must | 2 facial forms: have to, has to |
1 time form: must | 3 time forms: have to, had to, will have to |
lack of to | availability to |
Training exercises
The best training for fixing the rules for the use of the
have to / must verbs will be sentences for translation from Russian into English. For instance:
- We must learn this verse for tomorrow.
- They were forced to leave.
- She will have to call me at 5.
- He is forced to go to this lyceum.
The ability to use the necessary forms of substitution tasks is also very well trained. For instance:
- She ... stay here for three days. (have to)
- I ... train a lot. (must)
- ... you ... open the door? (have to)
Another good training example is not just translating sentences, but using them in mini-dialogs. This immerses the student in a real environment, and he understands that it is very important to correctly express your thoughts in order to be understood as he needs. For instance:
- Hi. Where are you going?
- Hi. I have to go to the store.
- What for?
- Our stove has broken, and we are forced to buy ready-made food in the store.
This is not the whole list of possible exercises, but the main thing here is to start. And then practice and work will lead you to success, and you will easily use any modal verb.