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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 should, if their values ​​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 soft 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 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 her younger brother. Alex and Jessica quickly said goodbye because Alex had to leave town at five.

In all these cases, the English version uses 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 situation 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.

Uses of the verb Must

1. To express urgent advice or command, both to oneself and to others.
2. To express the suggestion that something may be plausible or probable.

Features of the use of the verb Must

1. The construction must have + past participle is used to express an assumption that relates to the past.
2. Must is not used to express ought in the past tense. The verb used for this is had to.
3. Must be used V indirect speech to express a past action.

Examples

1. Must I finish this exercise now? – Should I finish this exercise now? (the need to perform an action)
2. It is almost 8 o"clock. You must hurry up - It’s almost 8 o’clock. You need to hurry up. (urgent advice or order)
3. This must be the right answer - This must be the correct answer. (expression of assumption)
4. I can't find my wallet. I must have left it at home - I can't find my wallet. I must have left his home. (an expression of an assumption that refers to the past)
5. I knew there must be some solution – I knew that it should have been some kind of solution. (used in indirect speech to express a past action)
6. You must not touch bare wires - You must not touch bare wires. (order)

#2 Modal verb Have to

Uses of the verb Have to

1. To express the need to perform an action.
2. To express the likelihood of something (more often used in American English).

Features of the use of the verb Have to

1. In interrogative and negative sentences it is used with the auxiliary verb do/does/did/will, etc.
2. Verb form changes depending on time.

Examples

1. You don"t have to make a decision right now - You don’t have to make a decision right now. (no need to take an action)
2. My sister is short-sighted. She has to wear glasses – My sister is nearsighted. She has to wear glasses. (necessity)
3. Do you have to go shopping today? We can do it tomorrow together – Do you need to go shopping today? We can do this tomorrow together. (necessity)
4. We are still on the way. It has to be further than we thought – We are still on the way. It must be further than we thought. (expression of assumption)
5. You had to turn left at the crossroads - You had to turn left at the crossroads. (not the speaker’s personal opinion, but a necessity due to certain circumstances)
6. You will have to send her an e-mail - You will have to send her an e-mail. (necessity)

#3 Modal verb Should

Uses of the verb Should

1. To express a need, advice, recommendation.

Features of the use of the verb Should

1. Design should have+ past participle is used when we're talking about about events in the past that did not happen or could/could not happen.
2. Used in indirect speech in relation to the past tense, if the verb should was used in direct speech in the sentence. In other cases, the verb should not used in the past tense. Instead, was/were supposed to is usually used.

Note

The constructions should have + past participle and to be supposed to are close in meaning and can often be interchanged. However, the design should have + past participle carries a greater connotation of criticism and regret, while the construction to be supposed to is less categorical and more often found in colloquial speech.

Examples

1. It is cold outside. You should put on a jacket – It’s cold outside. You should wear a jacket. (advice)
2. He should have learned this lesson by now - He should have already learned this lesson. (we are talking about an event in the past that could have already happened)
3. They said we should not wait for them - They said that we should not wait for them. (indirect speech, provided that the verb should was used in direct speech)
4. Why don"t you call them? The car should be fixed by now - Why don’t you call them? The car should already be repaired. (probability)
5. Should I follow the instructions? – Should I follow the instructions? (please give advice or recommendation)
6. She was supposed to introduce me to him (NOT She should introduce me to him) – She had to introduce me to him. (we are talking about the past tense, in which case the expression was supposed to is used instead of the verb should)

#4 Modal verb Ought to

Uses of the verb Ought to

1. To express obligation, advice, recommendation.
2. To express the probability of something.

Features of the use of the verb Ought to

1. The construction is used in relation to the past time when the event did not occur.

Examples

1. You ought to listen to your parents - You must listen to your parents. (expression of obligation)
2. Hurry up! You ought not to miss your train – Hurry up! You mustn't miss your train. (advice, recommendation)
3. Ought we to start the speech now? – Should we start speaking now? (the speaker asks for advice)
4. His behavior ought to improve after this talk - His behavior should improve after this conversation. (probability expression)
5. The plane landed an hour ago. They ought to have gone through the customs by now – The plane landed an hour ago. They are already should have passed through customs. (design ought to have + past participle; The example shows that the action did not occur)

#5 Difference between Must and Have to

1. The verb Must is used to express personal feelings speaker. The verb Have to is used when speaking about facts and about necessity due to certain circumstances.
2. The verb Must is used when talking about the present or future, but not the past. The verb Have to is used in all tenses.
3. When forming negative and interrogative sentences, the verb Have to requires the use of auxiliary verbs do/does/did/will, etc.
4. Must not is used when it is important not to do what is being discussed in the sentence. Do not have to is used when something is not needed, but it can be done (depending on the desire of the speaker).

Examples

1. You must change your diet to lose some weight - You must change your diet to lose weight. (personal opinion of the speaker)
2. You do not have to drink so much water - You may not drink so much water. (no need for this)
3. You must not drink so much water - You must not drink so much water. (this is a ban)
4. You have to turn left at the crossroads - You must turn left at the intersection. (not the speaker’s personal opinion, but a fact)

#6 Difference between Must and Should/Ought to

1. The verb Must expresses a higher degree of obligation. The verb Must is more often used in orders, regulations, etc. The verbs Should and Ought to are more often used in advice and recommendations.
2. In assumptions, the verbs Should and Ought to indicate a lower degree of confidence of the speaker than the verb Must.
3. In logical inferences and conclusions, the verb Must is used.

Examples

1. It is cold outside. You must wear a coat – It’s cold outside. You must put on your coat. (higher degree of obligation, order)
2. In weather like this you should wear a coat - In this weather you should wear a coat. (advice, recommendation)
3. The dinner must be ready now - Dinner must be ready. (high degree of confidence of the speaker)
4. The dinner should be ready now - Dinner should be ready. (lower degree of speaker's confidence, assumption)
5. Are they on holiday? They must be having a great time! -Are they on vacation? They must be having a great time! (logical conclusion, conclusion)

We have examined 3 basic modal verbs. Let's repeat these points again, and then look at the remaining modal verbs:

1. Modal verbs do not change tenses and do not take any endings;
2. Modal verbs are also auxiliary verbs;
3. 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 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?

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 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 turnover 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?
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 emanating 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 normal 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.

Reflexive pronouns in English are a type of pronoun that expresses the direction of action on the person producing it. Reflexive and intensifying pronouns differ in person, gender and number.

In English, must and have to both perform one function: they show the obligatory nature of a certain action. But despite their similarity, these verbs are used in different speech situations, require different auxiliary verbs and interact with tenses differently. Let's figure out the difference between must and have to.

Difference between must and have to

The modal verb must is much more personal than have to; it is used to express personal feelings and feelings. While have to is impersonal, as a rule, it is used when talking about events and facts.

I must go to work- I have to go to work.
We have to visit our aunt— We need to visit our aunt.

There is also a difference in the negative forms of verbs: mustn’t and don’t have to. If the negation “don’t have to” means that something simply does not need to be done (although it is possible), then the use of the negation “mustn’t” is practically an order “not to do!”

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You don’t have to be there today! All would be done without you-You don't have to be there today. Everything will be done without you.
You mustn't be late- You can't be late.

When to use must

The first thing to remember about the modal verb must is that it does not have a past tense form; English grammar assumes that must is used only in the present and future and does not change its form. For the past tense we use had to (the past tense form of the modal verb have to).

You must visit a psychologist now- You should see a psychologist now.
She must visit a psychologist next Sunday - She must visit a psychologist next Sunday.

The verb must reflects an internal obligation, the need to do something. This verb can be used in written instructions, strong recommendations. This is best translated into Russian by the words “must” and “obliged”.

You must brush your teeth— You must brush your teeth.
You must sign these papers— You must sign these documents.

In addition, using the verb must you can convey an assumption/conclusion.

You must be bored- You're probably bored.
Kate must have known her- Kate must have known her.

When to use have to

The verb have to is used much more often in colloquial speech than must. It denotes a need to do something, which is determined not by internal necessity, but by external circumstances. Unlike must, the modal verb have to needs auxiliary verbs and can change tenses and change its form.

I have to go- I have to go.
I had to go- I had to go.
I will have to go- I'll have to go.

Examples with translation:

You must ask her about this situation“You should ask her about this situation.”
We must end it right now“We have to finish this now.”
You must build a boat to escape the island“You must build a boat to escape from this island.”
She must do her homework— She must do her homework.
We have to buy food and coffee— We need to buy food and coffee.
We had to use it right“We had to use it correctly.”
I will have to teach you how to be villains“I will have to teach you how to be a villain.”

Video about the difference between have to and must: