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English grammar

have to and must

A2 · Elementary Verbs and time Questions 10

The rule

have to and must both say that something is necessary. must is usually the speaker deciding; have to is usually a rule or a fact outside the speaker: You must be careful. I have to work on Saturday. The negatives are NOT the same: you must not means it is forbidden, you do not have to means it is not necessary.

Pattern

must + plain verb · have to / has to + plain verb · must not = forbidden · do not have to = not necessary

Examples

  1. I have to work on Saturday this week.

  2. You must wear a helmet on the site.

  3. You must not park in front of the door.

  4. You do not have to come if you are tired.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: I must to go now.

    Right: I must go now.

    must is never followed by to.

  • Wrong: You must not bring a passport, it is optional.

    Right: You do not have to bring a passport, it is optional.

    must not forbids; do not have to only says it is not needed.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Fill in the gap.

    She _____ to start at seven every morning.

    1. is
    2. has
    3. have
    4. must
    Show answer

    Answer: B She has to start at seven every morning.

    she takes has to.

  2. 2Fill in the gap.

    You must _____ your ticket before boarding.

    1. validating
    2. validate
    3. to validate
    4. validated
    Show answer

    Answer: B You must validate your ticket before boarding.

    No to after must.

  3. 3Fill in the gap.

    We _____ have to pay; the entrance is free.

    1. did not
    2. do not
    3. must not
    4. are not
    Show answer

    Answer: B We do not have to pay; the entrance is free.

    Not necessary → do not have to.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    You _____ smoke in the building.

    1. not must
    2. must not
    3. do not have to
    4. are not have to
    Show answer

    Answer: B You must not smoke in the building.

    Forbidden → must not.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    I _____ to renew my licence next month.

    1. am
    2. must
    3. have
    4. has
    Show answer

    Answer: C I have to renew my licence next month.

    I takes have to.

  6. 6Choose the correct sentence.

    1. He has to work every other weekend.
    2. He must to work every other weekend.
    3. He has work every other weekend.
    4. He have to work every other weekend.
    Show answer

    Answer: A He has to work every other weekend.

    he takes has to.

  7. 7Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Have I to bring the original?
    2. Must I to bring the original?
    3. Do I must bring the original?
    4. Do I have to bring the original?
    Show answer

    Answer: D Do I have to bring the original?

    The question with have to uses do.

  8. 8This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. You must to sign here.
    2. You have to sign here.
    3. She has to sign here.
    4. You must sign here.
    Show answer

    Answer: A You must to sign here.

    No to after must.

  9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. She does not have to come.
    2. She does not have to wear a uniform; it is her choice.
    3. She must not wear a uniform; it is her choice.
    4. She must not be late.
    Show answer

    Answer: C She must not wear a uniform; it is her choice.

    A free choice takes do not have to, not must not.

  10. 10Put the words in the right order.

    I have to leave before five

    Show answer

    Answer: I have to leave before five.

    have to, then the plain verb.

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