Using Have to and Must

This page provides more details on using "have to" and introduces "must".

Affirmative sentences with "have to":

• Express obligations or necessities
• Use "have to" for most subjects, "has to" for third person singular

Example: I have to wear school uniform. She has to go to work on weekdays.

Negative sentences with "have to":

• Use "don't have to" or "doesn't have to" to express lack of obligation
• Indicate something is not necessary or required

Example: Students don't have to get up early at the weekend. Ali doesn't have to walk to work.

Questions with "have to":

• Use "Do" or "Does" at the beginning of the sentence
• Ask about obligations or necessities

Example: Do you have to tidy your room? Does she have to get up early?

Using "must":

• Expresses strong obligation, necessity, or importance
• Does not change form for different subjects

Example: You must listen to the teacher. We must do homework.

Highlight: "Must" is stronger than "have to" and often implies a rule or personal conviction.

Must, Can, and Additional Examples

This page provides more examples of "must" and introduces the modal verb "can".

Using "must" for rules and strong obligations:

• Often used for important rules or personal convictions
• Can be used for positive commands or prohibitions (mustn't)

Example: You must tidy your room. You mustn't eat in class.

Highlight: "Mustn't" means it's not allowed or forbidden, which is different from "don't have to" (not necessary).

Using "can" for ability and permission:

• Expresses what someone is able to do or is allowed to do
• Used in questions to ask for permission politely

Example: Can you swim and ride a bike? Can I come in?

Vocabulary: Modal verbs like "can" don't change form for different subjects.

Definition: "Can" is used to express ability, possibility, or to ask for permission in a polite way.

Quote: "I'm sorry. I can't." - This is a polite way to refuse or express inability.