> Other English exercises on the same topic: Modals [Change theme]
	> Similar tests: - Modal: may/might - Placement test 1 - Modal can (video) - Which modal and when? - Modal verb : must / have to - Modal : can/could - Modal verbs - Modal verbs
	> Double-click on words you don't understand

Must / Have to

MUST                              HAVE TO

must and have to are used to express obligation or the need to do something.

They can be used interchangeably.

I) Meanings:

 ---MUST:    (subjective obligation)  In general, it expresses what the speaker thinks is necessary.

                 I must stop smoking.  / We must go it's already midnight.  /They must work harder.

 __HAVE TO:   (objective obligation)  In general, it suggests that somebody else has imposed the decision.

                     Tom has to wear a uniform at school.

II) Affirmative clauses:

            1° have to can be used in all tenses:

                      Tom had to wear a uniform last year  /  Tom will have to wear a uniform next year

                      Sonia is having to wait  / she may have to come back tomorrow

            2° must can be used to talk about the present or the future

                     Tom must call his mother tomorrow

                but it can't be used to talk about the past  ( you use have to)

III) Interrogative clauses:

                       Do you have to leave now?    /   Must you leave right now?

IV) Negative clauses:

                  The negative form of must and the negative form of have to are very different in meaning.

          1° must not / mustn't   is used to say that something is not allowed.

                  Children mustn't play with fire.   /   Passengers must not talk to the driver.  /  Visitors mustn't smoke. 

                  'must not' can't be used to talk about the past, you use another structure.

                  example: We were not allowed to park near the museum.

          2° don't have to  means that there is no obligation to do something, but you can do it if you want.

                  You don't have to drink alcohol, you can have a soft drink.

                  She doesn't have to arrive before 9.

V) Example:

        When the lights are red you must stop.

        You mustn't go on.

VI) Video in English for advanced users:

Twitter Share
English exercise "Must / Have to" created by lili73 with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from lili73]
Click here to see the current stats of this English test

Please log in to save your progress.

1. To drive a car you has tomustdon't have toI don't know possess a driving licence.

2. While you are driving you must notmustdon't have toI don't know listen to the radio, it is not necessary.

3. You mustdon't have tomustn'tI don't know drive without wearing a seatbelt. Wearing a seatbelt is compulsory for the passengers too.

4. It is dangerous to talk on a cell phone and drive at the same time. Drivers mustdon't have tomustn'tI don't know do that.

5. In most countries it is illegal to use a cell phone in a car. In those countries drivers mustn'tdon't have toshouldI don't know use phones in their cars.

6. Drivers mustmust notI don't know be kind to other drivers

7. They have todon't have tomust notI don't know get angry when there is a problem.

8. In France you mustn'tmusthas toI don't know insure your car. It's the law of the country.

9. On the road you mustdon't have tomust notI don't know respect the speed limit even if there isn't any radar.

10. Adult cyclists don't have tomustn'tmustI don't know wear a helmet but a cautious rider should have one.