Expressing Obligation: Must, Have to, Should
We use these verbs to express different levels of obligation and advice.
Must (Strong Obligation – from the speaker)
- “You must wear a seatbelt.” (rule/law)
- “You mustn’t smoke in the hospital.” (prohibition)
Must comes from the speaker’s authority or feeling.
Have to (External Obligation)
- “I have to wear a uniform at school.” (school rule)
- “She has to wake up at 6 am.” (obligation from outside)
- Past: “I had to study all night.”
- Negative: “You don’t have to come if you don’t want to.” (no obligation)
Should (Advice/Recommendation)
- “You should eat healthy food.” (advice)
- “You shouldn’t stay up late.” (negative advice)
- “Should I call him?” (asking for advice)
| Expression | Strength | Example |
|---|---|---|
| must | strong obligation | You must stop at the red light. |
| mustn’t | prohibition | You mustn’t cheat. |
| have to | external obligation | I have to do my homework. |
| don’t have to | no obligation | You don’t have to come. |
| should | advice | You should exercise regularly. |
| shouldn’t | negative advice | You shouldn’t eat too much sugar. |
Exercises
1) Fill in: You … stop at the red light. (must/have to) I … go now, my mother is calling. (must/should)
2) Choose: You (should/must) see this film, it’s great! Students (have to/must) respect the school rules.
مدونة التربية و التعليم في الجزائر – دروس، فروض، نتائج امتحانات مدونة التربية والتعليم في الجزائر | تحضير الدروس، فروض واختبارات، نتائج البكالوريا وBEM، مسابقات التوظيف، والتوجيه المدرسي للطلاب وأولياء الأمور.