|
ESL Forum:
Techniques and methods
in Language Teaching
Games, activities
and teaching ideas
Grammar and
Linguistics
Teaching material
Concerning
worksheets
Concerning
powerpoints
Concerning online
exercises
Make suggestions,
report errors
Ask for help
Message board
|
ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > have to / must
have to / must
|
steph30
|
have to / must
|
|
Hi guys!
I�m preparing a lesson plan about global warming, first the pupils will talk about facts and we�ll conclude with some solutions to these problems. I was wondering if it would be better to say "We have to react! We have to turn off lights when we don�t use them, etc...." or " we must react!"We must turn off lights when we don�t use them, etc...."
Thanks ;) |
26 Jan 2009
|
|
|
|
Ivona
|
British English makes this distinction.
HAVE TO expresses �external� obligation, that comes from �outside� (laws, regulations, other people�s orders, etc.) Students in my school have to wear uniforms.
MUST expresses the feelings and wishes of the speaker/hearer
I must stop smoking. (I want to.)
So i would suggest you use �must�, or maybe �should� (which is weaker, though).
|
26 Jan 2009
|
|
|
steph30
|
|
Thanks for answering. I know these rules ... I just want to have the point of view of a native speaker ;) |
26 Jan 2009
|
|
|
littlecityblue
|
|
As a native speaker, I would use must. I don�t think we really distinguish between the two in day to day language, but to me �must� implies more than just feelings and wishes - more of an obligation to yourself, if you see what I mean? I also agree with the previous poster that �should� may be appropriate too.
We must react. We should turn off the lights etc.
|
26 Jan 2009
|
|
|
douglas
|
|
As a native speaker I use them interchangeably, but definately use "have to" much more often than "must". I suspect that "must" is used more often by my European colleagues (UK) than my American (US) colleagues, but can�t prove it.
Both are fine, but I would personally use "have to" because it "feels" better.
Douglas |
26 Jan 2009
|
|
|
GIOVANNI
|
|
Hi Douglas:
You are right in US and Canada have to is used more than must in spoken English. |
26 Jan 2009
|
|
|
Ivona
|
Spoken English, yes. Most grammars point to the distinction that i mentioned above. That�s why i put it. But, both verbs get the message across and that�s what should matter. Language is alive and grammar just tries to strip it off its beauty.
Just go with the ... "feeling" 
|
26 Jan 2009
|
|
|
MissMelissa12
|
|
I think stef asked the correct way to say it or the closest to the propper use of it rather than what ��feells better��.
what Ivona said is just the same thing I�d answer.
Enjoy!
Miss Melissa.  |
26 Jan 2009
|
|
|
