English Lesson: Must & Have to

Are you interested in studying at a college or university in the USA? If so, then you must take the TOEFL exam. The TOEFL exam tests all four skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening. You have to study hard for this exam. There are number of good books you can use to help you study. You must set aside time every day to review grammar and vocabulary. In addition, you have to get used to reading and writing short essays in English.

When we talk about necessity, we use must and have to. Do you know how to use these words?  Have a look at the paragraph above and then check today’s lesson: 

Must and have to show necessity. If you must do something, or have to do something, you have no other choice. In everyday conversational English, have to is used more than must. Must is stronger than have to and has a feeling of urgency.

Must is followed by the base verb so the structure is must + [verb]

• You must take the TOEFL exam. Not, You must to take the TOEFL exam.
• You must set aside time every day to review grammar and vocabulary.
• You must not use a cell phone while driving.

Have to is also followed by the base verb: have + to + verb

• You have to study hard for this exam.
• You have to get used to reading and writing short essays in English.
• You have to be careful driving in the snow.

We also use have got to in more casual conversations:

• You have got to study hard for this exam.
• You have got to get used to reading and writing short essays in English.
• You have got to be careful driving in the snow.

Must, have to, and have got to talk about the present or future. When we talk about necessity in the past, we use had to. There is no past form of must when must means necessity.

• I had to work last weekend.
• Kim had to take the TOEFL exam before coming to New York.

I have to thank you all for supporting my website and studying here with me! What is your suggestion for a one point lesson here? You must tell me!

Comments

comments