2015-08-13
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• We use must, have to and have got to to talk about something that is important or necessary. The meanings are similar, but there are some differences.
• Must shows that the speaker feels the action is necessary and important: I must remember to phone Sam. You must be back by ten.
• Have to and have got to show that the action is necessary because someone else says so, or because of a rule or law: I have to take these tablets every day.
You have to show your passport to get into the country.
• Have to is more common than must in speech. Must is often used for written instructions and rules: All drivers must be at least twenty-one years old to hire a car.
• Have got to is spoken and informal: I ’ve got to see you right away!
• We use have to (not must or have got to) to talk about the past or the future: Our flight was at six, so we had to leave the house at three. It’s going to be cold, so we ’ll have to take warm clothes with us.
• We usually use have to (not must or have got to) in questions: Is this a direct train or do we have to change?
!Compare don’t have to and mustn’t: You don’t have to tell him. (= It’s not necessary.) You mustn’t tell him. (= It’s important that you don’t.)
14. Complete the sentences. Use must or have/has to.
0 I’ve been feeling ill for a week. I...... must...... go to the doctor today.
1 You can’t buy a ticket on the train. You...........................get one before you get on.
2 They...........................work in a hospital for six months as part of their course.
3 In some countries, everyone...........................vote. It’s the law.
4 I...........................wash my jeans before the party. They’re really dirty.
5 I...........................wear a uniform for my job at the supermarket.
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6 We...........................practise our songs again. Some of them don’t sound very
good.
15. Complete the conversation. Use the correct form of have to or have got to. Do not use have to if have got to is possible.
A: Have you ever been in a play? I’ve joined a drama group and it’s great!
B: Yes, I was in a play at school. It was quite hard work because we
(0)...... had to...... rehearse every week.
A: (1)......you...... do a lot of acting exercises?
B: Yes, some. They were good fun. (2)......you...........................do them?
A: Yes, every week. Last week we (3)...........................pretend to be film stars.
B: That sounds fun. Are you doing a play too?
A: Yes, a short one. I hate learning all my lines! It’s quite boring, isn’t it?
B: Yes, you (4)...........................sit down and learn them. It is a bit boring.
I wish I could join your group, but I’ve got exams next term and I
(5)...........................concentrate on them. But I’d love to come to your play. When is it?
A: I don’t know yet. I (6)...........................check with the teacher and tell you
later.
