Modal verbs Must, Have to, Should, Ought to. Modal verbs: Must and have to

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 in time 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 we're talking about 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 different verb - 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?

In English there is such a concept as may, must, should or be able to. Three of them are translated into Russian with the same word - “must”. They are precisely one of the most common confusions among Russian-speaking people. But what then is the difference between should, if their meanings are approximately similar?

In fact, they are not very similar. They all translate as "should" but have different emotional meanings. Let's try to figure this out, what is the difference between should, must and have to.

Should

This modal verb is used when we give someone friendly advice or some kind of gentle recommendations. This can also be translated into Russian as “should”. When it's cold outside, we say to a close friend: "You should put on a jacket!" But at the same time, a friend can either listen to advice or do as he wants. That is, should does not imply any obligatory action.

I think, Mary should find a job. - I think Mary should find herself a job.
Jonh should listen to his parents more often. - John should listen to his parents more often.
You should be kinder to your children! They are so nice! - You should (you should) be kinder to your children. They are so cute!

In some cases should can take on a cruder form, depending on the context in which it is used:

You should do what I ask! - You should (you must) do what I ask!

Using this modal verb, you can also ask for the same friendly advice or recommendation:

Should I buy that red dress? - Should I buy that red dress?

Must

What is the difference between should and must? The difference between should and must is that the second modal verb can strictly explain some obligatory action that someone is OBLIGED and MUST do. Often must is some kind of moral duty, for example, the duty to defend one's country or obey the law. That is, this modal verb is used when you talk about some of your own beliefs or generally accepted rules and laws.

Every man must think about the environment. - Every person is obliged to think about the environment.
I am a soldier, and soldiers must follow instructions. - I am a soldier, and soldiers must follow instructions.
You must be stronger and forget about him! - You must be stronger and forget about him!

In negative sentences it acts as some kind of sharp, categorical prohibition to do something. Usually translated as "not allowed".

You must not lie to me! - You can't lie to me!
You are too weak, you must not smoke! - You are too weak, you cannot smoke!
Alice musn't be here, and you know that. - Alice cannot be here, and you know it.

Must is usually not used in the interrogative form and does not change tenses, for this there is the following word - have to.

Have to

This word is not a modal verb like the previous two, but is also translated into Russian as “must”. It is used when talking about some forced action: “I had to,” “I was forced.” Have to can also be translated as “to be forced”, “required”, “have to”.

Let's give simple examples in Russian.

If a person has poor eyesight, he has to wear glasses to see normally. Mary wanted to go out with her friends, but she had to stay at home because she had to look after younger brother. Alex and Jessica quickly said goodbye because Alex had to leave town at five.

In all these cases, in English version used have to.

She has a myopia. That's why she has to wear glasses. - She has myopia. That's why she wears (she has to wear) glasses.
Sorry, Jessica, I have to go now. My bus leaves the city at five o'clock. - Sorry, Jessica, I have to (I have to) go now. The bus leaves the city at five o'clock.

Unlike must in negative sentences, it means that there is no need to do something or that some action is not obligatory. Whereas must certainly means a categorical prohibition to do something.

You don"t have to help us with all this stuff. - You don’t have to (there’s no need) to help us with all this.
You didn't have to make a decision by yourself, so it's Ok, Lucy. “You didn’t have to decide everything yourself, so it’s okay, Lucy.”

Have to is used in interrogative sentences with auxiliary verbs to ask about the need to do something. Often translated into Russian with the word “need” or “necessary”.

Do I really have to learn history? - Do I really need to learn history?
Will I have to go shopping? - Do I need to go shopping?

Have to as an analogue of must

Depending on the time, have to can change and replace must in the past and future tenses.

Mary had been invited to the party, but she had to look after her younger brother. - Mary was invited to the party, but she had (she had to) look after her younger brother.
Actually, you had to turn right. - Actually, you should have (you should have) turned right.
Mike, you will have to do all housework, make meal, feed the cat and call us every day after your classes while we are not home. - Mike, you will have (you will have to) do all the housework, cook the food, feed the cat and call us every day after class while we are not home.

Since must is not used in the past or future, have to can replace it to show an obligation in the past or future, as shown in the previous sentences. Also used in interrogative sentences instead of must:

Do I have to follow all these rules? - Do I have to follow all these rules?

Ought to and should: what's the difference?

We have already discussed the difference between should, must and have to, but there is another modal verb that is similar in meaning to the verb should, but is much less common. They are very often confused; all of them, one might say, are almost similar. But there is still a slight difference in their use.

In many cases, they can replace each other, since both indicate advice or recommendation. However, should is used much more often in interrogative sentences and any formal or more polite advice. And ought to is more of an expression of an obligation based on some personal beliefs, a sharper remark to do something right.

Alice ought to ask her parents before making such decisions! - Alice should (it would have been more correct) to ask her parents before making such decisions.
Your ought to be more understanding to his problem. -You should be more understanding of his problems.

The verb ought is not used in the future tense, and most often the tense is clear from the context. It also doesn't change based on faces.

You ought to go with us tomorrow. - You should come with us tomorrow.

We can say that outgh to is the brother of the modal verb should, but with some shade of obligation. Although in any situations where ought to can be used, should can also be used.

In the article, we looked at the difference between should, must and have to and gave examples to better understand their meanings.

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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! This, for example, 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 :)

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 ability to accomplish something;
requests, permission, prohibition;
doubts, mistrust, surprise.

But it is necessary to remember that the modal itself verb can 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

The modal verb must denotes 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.

The modal verb should is similar in meaning to Must, but is 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 ways to study in English, which you can familiarize yourself with, be sure to include the study of this category of vocabulary in your chosen methodology. 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 the auxiliary verb to do, and have got to - by placing 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 not much difference between have forms to in past tense Had I (got) to? And Did I have to? etc., however the latter is preferable.

Future turnover time have to is formed in the same way as the future simple indefinite tense in the case of 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?
Does 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) necessary.

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 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 are pronouns that form a relative clause. These include: who, whom, which, whose, that.