Must vs. Have To | English Speaking Lessons

Must can be used in affirmative sentences to say that something is necessary. This is common in British English.

• You must improve your English.
• He must work hard.
• I must be there before 9 o’clock.

In American English, have to is more common.

• He has to work hard. She has to improve your communication skills.

Must can also be used to ask if something is necessary.

• Must I finish the work today itself?
• Must I clean all the rooms?

In American English, have to is preferred.

• Do I have to finish the work today itself?
• Do I have to clean all the rooms?

In British English, must not can be used to prohibit people from doing things.

• You must not tell this to anybody.
• You must not open this packet.

To say that things are unnecessary, we usually use ‘do not have to’ or ‘do not need to’.

• You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand this.
• If you have already applied, you don’t have to apply again.

To talk about past necessity, we can use had to.

• When I was a child, I had to walk three miles to school.