Understanding and Using Modal Verbs: Understanding and Using Modal Verbs (#34)

Dennis Oliver

Modal Verbs #34:
Individual Modal Verbs

The English modal verbs are often challenging for learners
of English. This happens for many reasons, including both
grammar and meaning.

In this Hint, we'll look at must.

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Must (#1)

The modal auxiliary must (negative must not--which is often
contracted to mustn't) has several uses and meanings in present
or future time. The meaning that most people are most familiar
with is necessity--that is, a requirement.

Examples:

All airline passengers must pass through the
security checkpoint.

(It's necessary / a requirement for all airline
passengers to pass through the security checkpoint.)

If he wants to cash a check, he must show
identification that has his picture on it.

(If he wants to cash a check, it's necessary /
a requirement for him to show identification
that has his picture on it.)

You must not (mustn't) disturb Ms. Park
just now. She's in a very important meeting.

(It's necessary / a requirement for you not to
disturb Ms. Park just now. She's in a very
important meeting.)

They must not (mustn't) stay here a moment
longer! It's too dangerous!

(It's necessary / a requirement for them not
to stay here a moment longer! It's too dangerous!)

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Special Notes:

1.		The expressions has to and have to (plus the simple form of a verb) also show the meaning "necessity": All airline passengers have to pass through the security checkpoint. If he wants to cash a check, he has to show identification that has his picture on it.

2.		The negatives for has to and have to are doesn't have to and don't have to, but these are not the same as must not or mustn't. Instead of showing a negative requirement, they mean that there is no necessity (in other words, something doesn't matter ). Examples: "You must not (mustn't) stay here" means 'Don't stay here!', but "You don't have to stay here" means 'It isn't necessary for you to stay here.' (It doesn't matter if you stay here or not. You can choose what to do.) "He must not (mustn't) go into that room" means 'Don't go into that room!', but "He doesn't have to go into that room" means 'It isn't necessary for him to go into that room.' (It doesn't matter if he goes into that room or not. He can choose what to do.)

3.		In fast, casual speech, the final t in must is often "dropped" so that must sounds like muss. The same thing happens with mustn't: in fast, casual speech it sounds like MUSSunt.

4.		In fast, casual speech, has to sounds like HASSta and have to sounds like HAFFta.

Understanding and Using Modal Verbs: Understanding and Using Modal Verbs (#34)

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