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Ask for help > the different between must & have to
the different between must & have to
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arbic
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the different between must & have to
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what are the different between ( must ) and (have to , please
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22 Sep 2014
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mouradishere
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Good morning there. must and have to are both used to express obligation. The difference is in where the obligation comes from: if it is an external factor that makes the action necessary we use have to (students have to get a full mark in order to pass the exam) whereas if the obligation comes from a personal motive and the person strongly agrees we use must ( I must worh hard to pass the exam).
This link is for a further insight
http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/musthaveto/menu.php
Have a great day.
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22 Sep 2014
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Zora
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As a native, I am going to add that "must" is slightly more urgent/important than "have to"...
He must go to the doctor today. (urgency) He has to go to the doctor. (This just means that he has an appointment or needs to go to the doctor today.)
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23 Sep 2014
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arbic
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Thank you very much for this useful infromation |
23 Sep 2014
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yanogator
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Native speakers, would you agree that we don �t distinguish much in meaning between "must" and "have to", but that we consider "must" a little more formal, and more urgent, as Linda said? That �s the way I use them. In speech, we are much more likely to use "have to" than "must". Bruce |
23 Sep 2014
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Zora
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I�d agree with Bruce...
I use "have to" and, I might add "need to" and "should", much more than "must" in conversation. "Must" almost sounds like it �s too formal or even impolite at times, like you are insisting on something. (this might be the Canadian politeness in me! lol)
I prefer to say,
You should/have to/need to go to the bank and pay that bill. And not, You must go to the bank and pay that bill. (Unless, of course, that bill is overdue and needs to be paid now.)
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23 Sep 2014
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yanogator
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Yes, Linda and I agree. We wouldn �t even use "must" if the bill is overdue. We would add "really" to "should/have to/need to". Bruce |
23 Sep 2014
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douglas
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My impression is that "must" is more common in BE. Also, consider that if you are teaching for certain certifications, the difference (internal vs external) is important.
Douglas |
24 Sep 2014
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pajka
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I think, that must may be not obligatory:
1. You must see that movie! - the movie is fantastic, I really liked it, so you should watch it. 2. You have to see that movie. - before you write an essay/ it �s obligatory.
Must can express assumtpions: 1. He must be a good teacher, because students are doing really fine. 2. He has to be a good teacher. - I demand a good teacher.
Whether the obligation comes from ourselves, or from exterior factors: 1. I must go now - because I want to do sth else. 2. I have to go now - to work. |
24 Sep 2014
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yanogator
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Thanks, pajka, but native speakers don �t necessarily make those distinctions, except in the assumptions examples. For recommendations, we use both, and in your last pair, we use them more or less interchangeably. Bruce |
24 Sep 2014
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