We have examined 3 basic modal verbs. Let's repeat these points again, and then look at the remaining modal verbs:
- Modal verbs do not change tenses and do not take any endings;
- Modal verbs are also auxiliary verbs;
- After modal verbs the infinitive comes without to .
There is one very good modal verb that satisfies all these conditions without any exceptions. This verb is must . It is most often translated into Russian as “must, obliged.” As a rule, we use it when we want to express unquestioning obedience to something.
- You must obey the federal law. - You must follow federal law.
- All employees must sign this document. - All employees must sign this document.
- People mustn't be indifferent. - People shouldn't be indifferent.
As you can see, we use must when talking about sustainable traditions and laws, be they moral or legal.
- The negative form mustn"t can be used to express a prohibition:
- You mustn’t leave the house after 10! - You are not allowed to leave the house after 10!
From must another verb is different - have to . It is not modal appearance, but is such in meaning. He also conveys an obligation, but of a different kind. Let's look at the difference in meaning between must And have to .
As stated earlier, must - this is an expression of subordination to GENERAL laws; that is, you realize that you must do something because it is socially accepted.
Have to - this is an expression of subordination due to PRIVATE circumstances. A more suitable translation for it is “to be forced, to have to.” That is, you must do something because something forces you to do it.
- My car has broken down. I will have to take a taxi. - My car broke down. I'll have to take a taxi (= I'm forced to take a taxi).
- Compare: I must go by car because it’s the fastest way to get to the airport. - I should go by car because it’s the fastest way to get to the airport (i.e. it’s a generally accepted truth - by car it’s fastest, that’s why you choose this mode of transport).
But despite the difference, must And have to interchangeable. Unlike must , have to changes over time and takes on different endings. Therefore, if you really need to show this time and at the same time maintain modality, then instead must use have to .
- Next week I have to go on a business trip. - Next week I will have to go on business.
- We were supposed to finish the project last month. - Last month we had to finish the project.
- She should apologize. - She has to apologize.
Naturally, have to - this is an ordinary verb, so we deal with it according to tradition: we add, if necessary, endings, auxiliary verbs, etc. The auxiliary verb in this case is do .
- They have to leave. - They must leave.
- They don't have to leave. - They don’t have to leave. - They shouldn't leave.
- Do they have to leave? - Yes, they do./ No, they don’t. - Should they leave?
There is a whole category of words in English that can safely be called special, different from other groups of vocabulary. These words are modal verbs: Can, Could, Must, May, Might, Should, Need, Have to. Although they are not used as independent lexical units, since they express only the necessity, ability or possibility of performing an action, their role in the language is incredibly large. What are these words and when are they used?
Can
Can is rightfully considered the most common word in the modal group. Thanks to him, we can report that we know/can do something or are capable of something.
Can is used to indicate:
- intellectual or physical real possibility do something;
- requests, permission, prohibition;
- doubts, mistrust, surprise.
But it is necessary to remember that the modal verb can itself does not denote an action, therefore it must be followed by another verb that directly indicates the execution of the process. This rule applies to all other words discussed below.
Could
Must
Modal verb must means obligation, namely:
- an obligation or a certain duty due to personal beliefs, principles, traditions;
- advice, recommendation or order;
- probability/supposition of the action taking place.
Must is used not only in the present tense, but also in the future. It is important to remember that in all cases its shape does not change.
May
The modal verb may indicates the possibility of performing an action or the assumption of such a possibility. IN general meaning it can be translated as you can/can/can, etc. May is used when it is necessary to express:
- the objective possibility of performing an action that is not prevented by anything or anyone;
- formal request or permission;
- an assumption caused by doubt.
Might
Might is the past tense form of May. Also used to indicate the possibility/request/suggestion of performing an action. One of the special meanings of the word Might is an expression of slight condemnation or disapproval. It is interesting that although the modal verb might is considered a past tense form, it is used to denote the execution of a process both in the present and in the future.
Modal verb should similar in meaning to Must, but not as strict. Thus, Should is used when the task is to express an obligation or duty, stylistically weakened to a recommendation or advice. Should is also used to denote reproach or regret due to the fact that the desired action was not previously performed or can no longer be performed.
Need
The modal verb need should be used to express a need or urgent need to carry out an action. Accordingly, if Need is present in a negative construction, it denotes the lack of need/permission to do something. Need is also found in interrogative constructions - here it indicates doubts about the advisability of performing the process in question.
home distinctive feature Have to in that it denotes the obligation to perform actions due to specific circumstances. Based on this, the modal verb have to is recommended to be used only when it is necessary to indicate the compulsion of actions due to the current situation, and not personal desires. Have to can be used in all tenses, but each has its own form: present - Have to or Has to, past - Had to, future - Will have to.
Without a doubt, without modal verbs it is impossible to construct competent and stylistically neat speech. Therefore, when choosing methods of learning English that you can familiarize yourself with, be sure to include the study of this category of vocabulary in the chosen method. Moreover, now you have a useful theoretical basis that will help you successfully cope with the task.
I must answer this letter. (= I have to answer this letter.)
I must answer this letter.
Forms of the modal verb must:
MUST is used in all persons and can refer to the present and future tense.
I must do it now. I have to do this now.
I must do it tomorrow. I have to do this tomorrow.
In the past time must used only in indirect speech.
Negative form: must not (mustn’t).
Interrogative form: must I? etc.
Interrogative-negative form: must I not? (mustn’t I?), etc.
Instead of a verb must verb can be used have to in the present and future tenses, and in the present and past tenses in colloquial form it is used have got to, had got to etc.
In the past tense instead of a verb must verb used have in the past tense followed by an infinitive with to (had to) or had got to.
The interrogative form of the phrase have to is formed using auxiliary verb to do, a have got to - by setting the verb have before the subject.
The negative form of the phrase have to is formed using the auxiliary verb to do, and have got to - by posing a negation not after the verb have.
There is no particular difference in meaning between interrogative forms in the present tense. Have I got to? And Do I have to? etc. no, but the latter is preferable for expressing habitual actions. There is no particular difference between the forms of have to in the past tense Had I (got) to? And Did I have to? etc., however the latter is preferable.
Future turnaround time have to is formed in the same way as the future simple indefinite tense when using any other verb.
Why does he have to go there? (= Why has he got to go there?)
Why should he go there?
I don't have to go there. (= I haven’t got to go there.)
I don't need to go there.
We didn't have to go there with John.
We didn't have to go there with John.
Did he have to go there with her?
Did he have to go there with her?
Will he have to ask her about it again?
Would he really have to ask her about this again?
I shan’t have to go to that place again.
I won't have to go there again.
Using the verbs must and have to
In the affirmative:
1. Must- to express moral obligation, obligation, imposed by someone or coming from the speaker, as well as internally realized necessity.
You must make your bed yourself.
You must make your own bed.
Go if you must.
Go if you have to (if you think it's necessary).
I must go immediately.
I need to go immediately (since it may be late, etc.).
Have to- to express an obligation, but caused by circumstances.
You will have to make your bed yourself when you join the army.
You'll have to make your own bed when you join the army. ( The army obliges you to do this.)
He has to get up at 7 o'clock.
He must get up at 7 o'clock. ( Circumstances force him - for example, he studies on the first shift.)
Please note:
For the 1st person this difference is less significant.
Have to usually used to express a common action, often repeated, turning into a habit.
Must used to express an extremely necessary, important action.
I have to be at my office at nine every day.
I have to be at work every day at 9 o'clock.
We have to water this cactus twice a month.
We have to water this cactus twice a month.
I must ring him up at 10. It’s very important.
I have to call him at 10 o'clock. It is very important.
2. Must- to express urgent advice or invitation. In such cases it is translated into Russian (necessarily) must, (certainly) must.
You must come and see our new house. It's so lovely.
You should definitely come and see our new house. He is so beautiful.
You must read this article.
You should definitely read this article.
In question form:
1. Must and its equivalents have to And have got to- to express obligation and necessity. At the same time, the equivalents have to and have got to are more common in these meanings in the question than must, since they do not convey additional shades of reluctance, irritation, etc., characteristic of the use of the verb must, which means “necessarily must.”
Must I go there immediately?
Do I have to go there immediately?
When does he have to go there? (When has he got to go there?)
When should he go there?
2. Have to used more often than must to express an obligation in the future, forced from the outside.
Shall I have to answer your question? When will you have to do it?
Do I need to answer your question? When will you need to do this?
3. Have to and (less often) must used to express a common action that is often repeated.
Child: Must I clean my teeth tonight?
Child: Should I brush my teeth tonight?
Do you have to wind your watch every day?
Do you have to wind your watch every day?
In the negative form must not or need not is used.
Must not - indicates that the action is prohibited.
Need not - shows that there is no need to perform an action.
You must not speak like that to your mother.
You shouldn't talk to your mother like that.
You mustn't miss your lectures.
You shouldn't miss lectures.
If you have a headache you need not go to school.
If you have a headache, you shouldn't go to school.
In answers to questions starting with a verb must, used in an affirmative answer must, in the negative - needn't.
Mustn't also has the meaning of a categorical prohibition ( cannot, must not, prohibited), and therefore this form is typical for prohibiting messages to children, expressing warnings in advertisements, etc.
You mustn't go there anyway.
In any case, you can't go there.
Mustn’t is also used to mean “cannot” in a negative answer to the question May...? (Is it possible...?).
May I take that pen? -Can I take that pen? -
No, you mustn't. No you can not.
2. Must used to express an assumption. At the same time, notice the difference in the use of structures
must + Indefinite Infinitive and must + Perfect Infinitive
Must + Indefinite Infinitive used to express probability, assumptions that the speaker believes
quite plausible. This combination translates it should probably be and is used in relation to action in the present tense.
They must know his address.
1. They must (probably) know his address.
2. They must know his address.
Not must be in the library now.
1. He must be in the library now.
2. He should be in the library now.
Must + Perfect Infinitive is used to express a possibility, an assumption of the same nature, but in relation to the past tense, and is also translated as it should probably be.
They must have known his address.
They must have known his address.
They must have forgotten my address.
They must (probably) have forgotten my address.
She must have gone to her parents.
She must have gone to her parents.
Relative pronouns in English language- these are pronouns that form a relative subordinate clause. These include: who, whom, which, whose, that.
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HAVE TO
Have to is used in the sense of “under the influence of external circumstances, I need to do this and that.” Or also in our meaning “I have to.” Those. I myself don’t want to, but others are forcing me. I would be happy not to, but if I don’t, it will be bad.
Example: " Sorry,Ican'tgo -Ihave to domyhomework” - “Sorry, I can’t go, I have to do my homework.”
This means that a person wants to go, and does not want to do his homework at all, but, alas, he is forced to do it and therefore, no matter how much he wants, he cannot go where he wants.
In this sense, have to is often used as a polite excuse for something in the spirit of “I’m very sorry, I would love to stay, but, alas, the stars have aligned in such a way that I am forced to leave you... but I really like you and, if If I had such an opportunity, I would spend a lot more time with you, but alas” - “I’m very sorry, but I have to go.”
MUST
Must is when you need it not because someone or something forces you. But because you decided so for yourself. Because this must be done to achieve some of your goals more high order. For example, you decided for yourself that now you will get up early every day. Accordingly, you cannot stay for the late party.
In this case, say this: “I am sorry, but I must go.” This means “sorry, but I have more important things to do. I have to go." This is a tougher form, the previous one is more polite.
NEED
Need is a need. When you say "I need something", this means "I I need in something". In the case of action, you need action. All in the same example: “I need to go” means “I need to go.” This expression emphasizes your dependence on something. Roughly speaking, you want to get a job at a company. You need her, she doesn’t need you. Then say “I need to join that company.”
The difference from have to here is that no one and nothing forces you. You're just in a low position.
SHOULD
Generally speaking, should is rarely used and is confused by many with must. However, there are differences between them, albeit subtle ones.
So, should means rather what you want relies do something according to your social role, status, position. For example, you can often hear the phrase “You shouldn’t be doing that!” This means "You don't should do this! For example, this happens when a person climbs somewhere where he is not supposed to. For example, he goes into the boss’s office and rummages through his desk. Those. should is used when we are dealing with social ideas about how you should must to act, but how not to.
Also, should is a designation of sacred Duty. For example, in front of the Motherland or Senior. “I should join this war” - “My duty is to join this war.”
CONCLUSION
Let me remind you once again that all of the above are not rules, but nothing more than my personal observations. Works about 80% of the time. However, it is precisely the understanding of such subtleties that really makes the difference fluent in language from someone who knows on paper. It’s unlikely that ordinary teachers and professors will explain this to you, you can check :)
Must is a very “hard” verb that expresses the obligation or need to do something. Must stronger than should. If in case should there is still some choice (to do or not to do), then in the case must no choice! That's an order.
Have to has the same meaning as must.
1. Must and have to are used to express the need to do something.
Example
I must leave. - I must go.
I have to leave. - I must go.
In this situation must And have to are used interchangeably.
2. Difference in the use of must and have to
Must is more personal in nature. Must used to express personal feelings and sensations.
Example
I must do my best. - I have to do my best.
In this case, the speaker expresses his feelings about this matter.
Have to is impersonal in nature. Have to used when talking about facts rather than personal feelings.
Example
I have to visit my doctor. - I have to visit my doctor.
Apparently, not everything is in order with your health, and this is a fact that you cannot argue with, and not some kind of personal feeling.
Note
Sometimes the difference is in use must And have to so subtle that it is difficult to determine which verb to use. In such situations it is better to use have to.
3. Must - there is no past!
Remember, verb must has no past tense form!
Therefore, it can be used for the present and future tenses, but not for the past.
Example
We must visit a doctor now. - We must visit the doctor now.
We must visit a doctor tomorrow. - We have to visit the doctor tomorrow.
4. Have to - for all forms
Unlike must, have to can be used for all forms, including the past tense.
Example
I had to visit my doctor. - I had to visit my doctor.
We can't say here must, because time is past! Therefore, we calmly use the equivalent must - have to!
5. Logical inference
Must used when the speaker draws a conclusion based on available facts. And although he has full confidence that his conclusion is absolute truth, it’s not far from that. The Russian analogue is the “should be” construction. And where it should be, there it is must!
Example
The ground is wet. It must be raining. - The ground is wet. It must be raining.
The ground is wet - so we concluded that it is raining! And since our logic is ironclad, we use must! After all, it's raining must go, he just can’t help but go!
6 Mustn’t and don’t have to are two big differences
Mustn't= don't do this! That's an order! (don't do it)
Don't have to= there is no need to do this or it is not necessary (but in principle it is possible)
Examples
You mustn’t be late. - You shouldn't be late.
(Don't be late! You can't be late!)
You don't have to be on time. - You don't have to be on time.
Those. you may be late. But in principle you can arrive on time.