Modals of Obligation

Form

Subject + must / have to / has to + Verb

I must finish this today.

She has to wear a uniform at work.


Meanings

Strong Obligation

We use must and have to to say something is 100% necessary. There is a small difference:

must: Usually for personal, internal obligation. The speaker feels it is necessary.

I must remember to call my mother. (This is my own feeling.)


have to: Usually for external obligation, like a rule or a law.

In the UK, you have to drive on the left. (This is the law.)

In everyday speech, many native speakers use have to for both.


Practice exercises