I want to tell you a story that recently happened to me. I was on vacation and sunbathing near the pool. As always happens in such cases, I literally walked away for a couple of minutes to take a dip in the pool. Having returned, I notice that my towel has disappeared from my sun lounger, and instead, a young man unknown to me, with a satisfied look, takes off his shorts and is about to lay down in my place!

I headed towards this guy, wanting to find out where he had put my towel and why he so brazenly grabbed my lounger. The guy turned out to be a foreigner and spoke good English. When I saw a stranger have several folded towels (and in the hotel everyone has the same beach towels), I decided that one of them was mine. Being sure of this, I confidently declared that he was a kidnapper and invader. Next, an entertaining dialogue took place between us, which perfectly illustrates the theme of this article: modal verbs to express guesses and assumptions.

We will return to the story itself later, but now a little grammar.

The assumption usually consists of two parts: modal verb + infinitive.

Modal verb indicates your level of confidence.

Analyzing any situation, we come to certain conclusions. Sometimes we are completely confident in the accuracy of the information(must be, I'm sure) either are sure that something cannot be true(it can't be that...). In other cases we express probability of something, that is, not the only one, but most likely conclusion(most likely, most likely). We can just do it guess about possible options(maybe, maybe).

Infinitive shows what time your guess dates back to. Let's look at the types of infinitive that can be used with modal verbs in this function:

Present Infinitive	Verb without the particle to
Present Сontinuous Infinitive		Present Continuous Future Continuous
Perfect Infinitive
Perfect Continuous Infinitive	have been + Ving	Present Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Continuous

When choosing which type of infinitive to use, you must understand what time the action belongs to. As you can see from the table, one type of infinitive can express several tenses. In your assumption, it will be clear from the context what action you mean.

Let's look at each modal verb and look at examples. In each example, try to determine the type of infinitive.

Complete confidence (must and can’t).

You can be sure that something is true (must), or that something can't possibly be true.

This must be my towel. I can recognize it. - This must be my towel. I recognize him.

He must know her husband. They work for the same company. - He must know her husband. They work in the same company.

They must remember us. We met last week. - They must remember us. We met last week.

She must be playing the piano now. I can hear music. - She must be playing the piano. I hear music.

He must be having a shower now. There is no answer. - He must be taking a shower. He doesn't answer the phone.

They must be working tomorrow as it’s Monday. - They must be working tomorrow. Tomorrow is Monday.

You must have already finished your work. - You must have already finished working.

He must have sent me this letter. - I'm sure it was he who sent me the letter.

They must have been sleeping. They were very sleepy. - They must have been sleeping. They were very sleepy.

You must have been listening to music when I was calling you. - I'm sure you were listening to music when I called you.

Must in this function is used only in affirmative sentences and indicates a positive assumption regarding the present situation, made in a logical way (Positive logical assumption)

If you are sure that something can't be true(it can't be that) you are using Withan or could and the infinitive you need:

This car can't be mine. Mine is red. - This cannot be my car. Mine is red.

She can't know my friend. They have never met. - She cannot know my friend. They have never met.

You can’t remember the accident, you were a baby. - It’s impossible that you remember the accident, you were a child.

They can't be playing football as they don't have a ball. - It’s impossible for them to play football, they don’t have a ball.

She can't be having breakfast. She never has breakfast at home. - She can’t be having breakfast now. She never has breakfast at home.

He can't be working. Today is his day off. - It can't be working. Today is his day off.

He can't have seen me there. - He couldn't see me there.

She couldn’t have been sleeping at 10 o’clock as she was at the party.- It can’t be that she slept at 10 yesterday, because she was at the party at that time.

Sentences with can and could are called Negative logical assumptions.

Probability.

If you are not 100% sure, but think that it is likely (most likely), then use should / ought to:

She should / ought to be at home. She is rarely out in the evening. - Most likely, she is at home. She rarely goes out in the evenings.

They should / ought to be driving to work now. It's 9 o'clock. - They are probably on their way to work now. It's 9 o'clock now.

In this function (probability) should and ought to is not used regarding past actions, because should have V3- this is another design, which you can read about.

Opportunity.

And if you think that anything Maybe in the future and present (maybe), then modal verbs can be used to express this idea can, could, may, might.

But be careful because can denotes possibility in general - what is theoretically possible, and could, may, might show that perhaps in specific situation, under certain conditions.

Milk can go off very quickly. - Milk can spoil very quickly. (in general)

This milk could/ may/ might go off if you don’t put it into the refrigerator. - This milk can quickly spoil if you don't put it in the refrigerator. (specific situation)

Remember also that in guess questions never used may:

Who might know him? -Who can know him?

Who could have sent this letter? -Who could have sent this letter?

A few more examples related to past actions:

She could have written this letter. - She may have written this letter.

They may have forgotten to call us. - They may have forgotten to call us.

He might have been waiting for you. - Perhaps he was waiting for you.

Could and might in combination with perfect infinitive can also express an action that could have happened in the past, but did not:

The children were playing with the ball. They could/might have broken the window but fortunately they didn’t. - The children played with the ball. They could have broken the glass, but fortunately they didn't.

You probably have a question: “Why do we need to teach these extremely complex structures, if there are so many introductory words: I'm sure, it's possible, and everyone's favorite maybe? We got along just fine without modal verbs!”

Yes, that's true. This is enough for basic communication, but we strive to communicate fluently in English and in many cases, in order to understand what exactly the interlocutor means and how he relates to the situation, you need, if not to use these constructions yourself, then at least be familiar with them and perceive them in speech. To make it easier for you, we have prepared a table for you that briefly presents the content of this topic:

Do you want to express	What can be replaced	Modal verb	What comes after a modal verb (type of infinitive)
Confidence	I'm sure... I'm certain...	must can't/ couldn't	do be doing have done have been doing
Probability	Probably...	should	do be doing
Opportunity	It's possible... Likely... Perhaps... Maybe...	can could may might	do be doing have done have been doing

Now let's return to the curious case that I started telling you about at the beginning of the article. Now, knowing about that. how to use modal verbs to express guesses and assumptions, you will easily understand what is meant (what degree of confidence and time).

So, being completely sure that the unfamiliar guy had taken possession of my towel, I “ran into” him: “This is my towel. It was on my beach bed but you took it away. Give it back please", to which the guy replied: “This can't be yours. I have just brought it.” Then I pointed to another towel and said: "So that one must be mine" to which the stranger calmly replied: “ That towel is my friend’s" I didn’t like the situation at all and started to get nervous: “So, where is my towel? It couldn’t have disappeared while I was swimming. You must have taken my towel and don’t want to give it back!”. The foreigner clearly did not like being a suspect and tried to justify himself: “I can’t have taken your towel because I came here just a minute ago. You must have been swimming for too long. Your friend may have come and taken it." No friend of mine could pick it up, so I replied: “My friend couldn’t have taken it!” The guy turned out to be inventive and put forward a couple more versions: “So your mother may have come. Or the hotel staff might have collected it." The version about the mother disappeared immediately: “It couldn’t have been my mother as she is in another country at the moment”. But these could very well be hotel employees: "But hotel staff may have taken it." It looked like the guy really didn't know anything about my missing towel, which he once again assured me of at the end, using the third type conditional offers: “If I had seen a towel here on this beach bed, I would never have taken it.”

I never found the towel, but this story is a great example of how to use modal verbs to express your guesses and guesses.

If you find it difficult to master English on your own, contact us! To get started, sign up for a free introductory lesson and start learning.

Good luck in learning English!

Why are modal verbs needed in English? Which modal verbs are worth remembering and which are not? How to construct phrases with modal verbs correctly? You will find answers and many examples of English sentences with modal verbs in this article.

What is a modal verb?

Modal verbs are unusual in that they are never used by themselves. A modal verb is always used in pairs with another semantic verb. It is the semantic verb that shows what action we are talking about. And the role of the modal verb is to show the speaker’s attitude towards this action.

The easiest way to understand the purpose of modal verbs is with examples. Take a look at the offer:

I play football.
I play football.

Now, let's add the modal verbs can, must, may to this sentence and see how the meaning changes:

I can play football.
I can play football.

I must play football.
I have to play football.

I may play football.
I'm allowed to play football.

All three sentences contain the same semantic verb - play. But look how different in meaning the sentences we got by using different modal verbs.

Thus, modal verbs should be used when talking about:

ability/impossibility to perform an action;
presence/absence of the need to perform an action;
advice/order/recommendation to perform an action;
assessing the probability of performing an action.

This is not a complete list of what modal verbs are used for in English. Next, we will take a closer look at the 10 main English modal verbs, what their meanings are and how to use them correctly. Let's start with the three most common modal verbs.

Three MAIN modal verbs.

For most situations it will be enough to know 3 modal verbs - can, must and may. These are the most commonly used modal verbs in the English language. The verb can is generally among the ten most used English words and not a single conversation is complete without it. The main meanings of these verbs are given in the table:

Examples of use:

He can swim fast.
He can swim fast.

I must be strong.
I must be strong.

You may call me tomorrow.
You can call me tomorrow.

She may be right.
Perhaps she's right.

In fact, each of these modal verbs has many meanings. Here I give the most common translation of them. You can get acquainted in detail with all the meanings of the Big Three verbs using the following links:

But to use modal verbs in your speech, it is not enough to know their translation. You also need to learn how to correctly construct sentences with modal verbs.

Modal verbs in English: RULES of use.

Modal verbs in English behave differently than most regular verbs. To correctly construct sentences with modal verbs, you need to know several rules. Here are the basic rules for using modal verbs:

1. As already mentioned, a modal verb is always used in pairs with a semantic verb.

Moreover, the semantic verb is always taken in an indefinite form and the particle to is not placed before it. The combination of a modal and a semantic verb is called a modal predicate. In an affirmative sentence, the modal predicate is placed in the place of the usual predicate, that is, immediately after the subject.

Right:

I can speak Spanish.
I can speak Spanish.

You must help me.
You have to help me.

Wrong:

I can speak Spanish. You must help me.

2. Modal verbs do not change according to persons. The ending "-s" in the third person is not added to them.

Right:

She can speak English.
She can speak English.

He must help me.
He must help me.

Wrong:

She can speak English.
He must help me.

3. Modal verbs do not form the future tense.

If a sentence containing a modal verb refers to the future tense, this is usually clear from the context.

For example:

You must pass your exam later.
You must take the exam later.

I can go for a walk only tomorrow.
I can only go for a walk tomorrow.

4. Of all the modal verbs in the English language, only two have past tense forms. These forms are shown in the table:

1 form (present)	2nd form (past tense)
can	could
may	might

To get a question from an affirmative sentence, you just need to take the modal verb out of the first place.

You can drive. - Can you drive?
Can you drive a car?

I must go. - Must I go?
Should I go?

6. Negative sentences are also formed without auxiliary verb to do.

Just a negative particle not is placed immediately after the modal verb. At the same time, with the modal verb can the particle not is written together - cannot. The negative form of modal verbs in English is often shortened:

IN negative form many modal verbs take on the meaning of prohibition. Moreover, the severity of the prohibition depends on which modal verb is used:

may not - a softer form - “impossible”

cannot - the mildest possible prohibition - “you can’t”, “not desirable”

Examples:

You must not smoke in this room!
You are not allowed to smoke in this room!

Children may not go for a walk without parents.
Children should not go for walks without their parents.

You cannot call her. Wait 15 minutes.
Don't call her, wait 15 minutes.

There is an exception to the last two rules. The modal verb have to requires the auxiliary verb do in interrogative and negative sentences.

It would probably be useful to remind you that modal verbs have to And ought to require to particles after themselves. Which is also an exception to the rule common to all modal verbs in the English language.

How often do you have to work on Sunday?
How often should you work on Saturdays?

Modal verbs in English - Complete list.

Are the three most common modal verbs not enough for you? It's time to dig deeper! Let's consider in order all the main modal verbs of the English language.

Modal verb can (could)

In affirmative sentences it is used to talk about physical/mental ability or ability to do something.

She can play piano.
She can play the piano.

Interrogative sentences express a request:

Can you repeat your questions?
Could you please repeat your questions?

In negative sentences, the modal verb can, in addition to the obvious meaning "can't/can't/can't" sometimes has the meaning of prohibition.

You can't lift this bag.
You can't lift this bag. (because it's too heavy)

You can't drive so fast.
You can't go that fast. (you are not allowed)

The modal verb can has a past tense form - could. In addition to the actual past tense, could is used in interrogative sentences to express a polite request.

I could play the violin.
I knew how to play the violin. (past tense)

Could you pass me pepper?
Could you pass me the pepper? (polite request)

Modal verb may(might)

If you look in the dictionary, you will find that the modal verb may is translated in the same way as the verb can - I can/can/can/can. But there is a difference between may and can, and it is significant. Unlike the verb can, the modal verb may does not express physical or mental ability, but permission to perform an action received from someone.

She may do what she wants.
She can do whatever she wants. (She's allowed to do what she wants)

The second meaning of the modal verb may - it allows make a guess(maybe I will, maybe I will).

I may visit you tomorrow.
I may visit you tomorrow.

In such sentences, may can be replaced with might. Using might instead of may does not speak of the past tense, as one might think, but of the speaker’s less confidence in the assumption being made.

Modal verb must

We use this modal verb to say that action must be performed. That is, when it comes to a sense of duty.

We must help our parents.
We must help our parents.

The modal verb must can also be used to make a guess. In this sense it is similar to the modal verb may. Using must instead of may indicates greater confidence in what the speaker is saying.

She must be student.
She's probably a student.

Modal verb have to

The verb have to is similar in meaning to the modal verb must. He also talks about duty, necessity or obligation. The modal verbs must and have to differ in that:

have to expresses an obligation related to external circumstances;
must expresses an obligation associated with an internal need, a sense of duty or the personal opinion of the speaker.

Example sentences with modal the verb have to:

You have to work more.
You have to work harder.

Modal verb should

The modal verb should can be used to:
1. Give advice

You are ill. You should go to the clinic.
You are sick. You need to go to the clinic.

2. Communicate an obligation or duty. In this meaning, the modal verbs should and must are similar, but should sounds softer or with a tinge of doubt that the action will be performed.

Your company should send us a report today.
Your company should send us a report today.

3. Talk about an expected action or an action that is possible with high probability.

It is night now. He shouldn't be at home.
It's night now. He must be home.

Modal verb ought to

Just like must, the modal verb ought to communicates that an action must be performed. But at the same time, a sentence with ought to sounds less categorical than a similar sentence with must and contains a hint of friendly recommendation or advice.

Modal verb need

Unlike other modal verbs in English, the verb need can serve not only as a modal verb, but also as a semantic verb.

The semantic verb need is translated as need. Use the semantic verb need when you say that you need something.

I need a good car.
I need a good car.

As a modal verb, need is used only in the negative form "need not" and is similar in meaning to "must not". The difference between the modal verbs need not and must not is as follows:

must not speaks of a strict prohibition on performing an action;
need not indicates that the action is not necessary.

For example:

You need not account to me.
You don't have to report to me.

Modal verb shall

This modal verb has several meanings. It can express:

promise
warning
threat

For example:

He shall do his work.
She will do her job. (promise)

Don't give her my book. She shall lose it.
Don't give her my book. She will lose it. (warning)

Modal verb will (would)

Basic meaning of modal verb will in English - to express consent to perform some action.

I will pay off my debts.
I will pay my debts.

will has other meanings.

Synonyms of modal verbs.

Some modal verbs in English have synonyms. Synonyms of modal verbs are phrases that have the same meaning as a modal verb, but are conjugated and form tenses according to general rules.

As you remember, modal verbs cannot be used in the future tense. Therefore, in the future tense, the modal verb is replaced by the corresponding synonym. For example:

You will be able to understand Chinese.
You will be able to understand Chinese.

Modal verbs in English - exercises with answers.

If you have read this far, then you probably already know a lot about modal verbs. It's time to consolidate your knowledge by completing some practical exercises. You can find more exercises at this link.

EXERCISE 1. Put required verb instead of an ellipsis. To check the correct answer, click the “Correct Answer” button.

EXERCISE 2. Translate the sentences into English.

EXERCISE 3. Correct the mistake in the English sentences.

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Study this example:

You can use must to say that you believe something is certain:
. You"ve been traveling all day. You must be tired. (Travelling is tiring and you"ve been traveling all day, so you must be tired.)
. "Jim is a hard worker." "Jim? You must be joking. He doesn"t do anything."
. Carol must get very bored in her job. She does the same thing every day.
. I"m sure Sally gave me her phone number. I must have it somewhere.

You can use can"t to say that you believe something is not possible:
. You"ve just had lunch. You can"t be hungry already. (People are not normally hungry just after eating a meal. You"ve just eaten, so you can"t be hungry.)
. They haven't lived here for very long. They can't know many people.

Study the structure:

I/you/he(etc.)

must
can"t

be (tired / hungry / at work etc.)
be (doing / going / joking etc.)
do / get / know / have etc.

For the past we use must have (done) and can"t have (done). Study this example:

Martin and Lucy are standing at the door of their friends" house.
They have rung the doorbell twice, but nobody has answered. Lucy says:
They must have gone out.

. I didn't hear the phone. I must have been asleep.
. "I"ve lost one of my gloves." "You must have dropped it somewhere."
. Sue hasn't contacted me. She can't have got my message.
. Tom walked into a wall. He can't have been looking where he was going.

Study the structure:

I/you/he(etc.)

must
can"t

have

been (asleep / at work etc.)
been (doing / looking etc.)
gone / got / known etc.

You can use couldn"t have instead of can"t have :
. Sue couldn't have got my message.
. Tom couldn't have been looking where he was going.

Exercises

Put in must or can"t.

1 You"ve been traveling all day. You must be tired.
2 That restaurant ___________ be very good. It's always full of people.
3 That restaurant ___________ be very good. It's always empty.
4 I "m sure I gave you the key. You ___________ have it. Have you looked in your bag?
5 You"re going on holiday next week. You ___________ be looking forward to it.
6 It rained every day during their holiday, so they ___________ have had a very nice time.
7 Congratulations on passing your exam. You___________ be very pleased.
8 You got here very quickly. You ___________ have walked very fast.
9 Bill and Sue always travel business class, so they ___________ be short of money.

Complete each sentence with a verb (one or two words) in the correct form.

1 I"ve lost one of my gloves. I must have dropped it somewhere.
2 They haven't lived here for very long. They can't know many people.
3 Ted isn't at work today. He must _____________ ill.
4 Ted wasn't at work last week. He must _____________ ill.
5 (the doorbell rings) I wonder who that is. It can"t _____________ Mary. She"s still at work at this time.
6 Sarah knows a lot about films. She must _____________ to the cinema a lot.
7 Look. James is putting on his hat and coat. He must _____________ out.
8 I left my bike outside the house last night and now it has gone. Somebody must _____________ it.
9 Amy was in a very difficult situation when she lost her job. It can"t _____________ easy for her.
10 There is a man walking behind us. He has been walking behind us for the last twenty minutes. He must _____________ us.

Read the situations and use the words in brackets to write sentences with must have and can't have.
Key.3 It must have been very expensive.
4 They must have gone away.
5 I must have left it in the restaurant last night.
6 He can"t have seen me. or He couldn"t have seen me.
7 He must have been waiting for somebody
8 She can"t have understood what I said. or She couldn"t have understood what I said.
9 I must have forgotten to lock it.
10 The neighbors must have been having a party.
11 The driver can"t have seen the red light. or The driver couldn"t have seen ...

1 The phone rang, but I didn't hear it. (I / asleep)
I must have been asleep.
2 Sue hasn't contacted me. (she / get / my message)
She can't have got my message.
3 The jacket you bought is very good quality. (it / very expensive)
4 I haven't seen the people next door for ages. (they / go away)
__________________________________
5 I can't find my umbrella. (I / leave / it in The restaurant last night)
__________________________________
6 Dave, who is usually very friendly, walked past me without speaking. (he / see / me)
__________________________________
7 There was a man standing outside the café. (he / wait / for somebody)
__________________________________
8 Liz did the opposite of what I asked her to do. (she / understand / what I said)
__________________________________
9 When I got back to my car, the door was unlocked. (I / forget / to lock it)
__________________________________
10 I was woken up in the night by the noise next door. (the neighbors / have / a party)
__________________________________
11 The light was red, but the car didn't stop. (the driver / see / the red light)
__________________________________

Put in "must" or "can"t"
1. You have been traveling all day. You must be tired.
2. That restaurant must be very good. It is always full of people.
3. That restaurant can't be very good. It is always empty.
4. I am sure I gave you the key. You must have it. Have you looked in your bag?
5. You are going on holiday next week. You must be looking forward to it.
6. It rained every day during their holiday, so they can"t have had a very nice time.
7. Congratulations on passing your exam. You must be very pleased.
8. You got here very quickly. You must have walked very fast.
9. Bill and Sue always travel business class, so they can't be short of money.

Complete each sentence with a verb(one or two words) in the correct form .
1. I "ve lost one of my gloves. I must have dropped it somewhere.
2. They haven't lived here for very long. They can't know many people.
3. Ted isn't at work today. He must be ill.
4. Ted wasn't at work last week. He must was ill.
5. (the doorbell rings) I wonder who that is. It can't be Mary. She is still at work at this time.
6. Sarah knows a lot about films. She must go to the cinema a lot.
7. Look. James is putting on his hat and coat. He must go out.
8. I left my bike outside the house last night and now it has gone. Somebody must have stolen it.
9. Amy was in a very difficult situation when she lost her job. It can't be easy for her.
10. There is a man walking behind us. He has been walking behind us for the last twenty minutes. He must be pursuing us.

Read the situation and use the words in brackets to write sentences with "must" and "can"t have"
1. The phone rang, but I didn't hear it.
I must have been asleep.
2. Sue hasn't contacted me.
She can't have got my message.
3. The jacket you bought is very good quality.
It must be very expensive.
4. I haven't seen the people next door for ages.
They must have gone away.
5. I can't find my umbrella.
I must have left it in the restaurant last night.
6. Dave, who is usually very friendly, walked past me without speaking.
He can't have seen me.
7. There was a man standing outside the cafe.
He must have waited for somebody.
8. Liz did the opposite of what I asked her to do.
She can"t have understood what I said.
9. I was woken up in the night by the noise next door.
The neighbors must have had a party.
10. The light was red, but the car didn't stop.
The driver can't have seen the red light.

Modal verb must used primarily to express obligation, but in colloquial speech it is often replaced with a reverse have to. In this article we will look at the meaning of the verb must, examples of use, differences from have to, should, be supposed to.

Table: modal verb Must in affirmative, negative and interrogative forms

You must obey. - You must obey (order).

You must do your duty. - You must fulfill one's duty (obligation, order).

You must read more. - You must read more (strong advice).

Verb must can refer not only to the present, but also to the future tense:

We must finish our work tomorrow. - We should finish our work tomorrow.

He must return in an hour. - He must be back in an hour.

Other means can be used to express obligation and advice; read more about this below.

2. Categorical prohibition

Modal verb must in the negative form denotes a categorical prohibition, and not “should not.”

You must not smoke in this area. – Prohibited smoke in this area.

You mustn't break item in a store. – It is forbidden break goods in a store.

Milder forms of prohibition are can't(especially popular in colloquial speech) and may not:

You can't just leave without paying for your meal. - You you can't just leave without paying for the dish (this is prohibited).

You may not take these tools. - To you it is forbidden take these tools (this is prohibited).

3. Assumption

By using must expresses a confident assumption that the speaker considers plausible. The premise can refer to the present or past tense. Note that for an uncertain assumption that the speaker does not consider plausible, use .

3.1 Assumption relevant to the present time

He must see us from there. - He, there must be, sees us from there.

Sandy must remember my address. – Sandy there must be, remembers my address.

The phrase with the verb is especially often used:

You must be John. - You, there must be, John.

He must be busy now. - He is now there must be, busy.

If it is assumed that the action is performed at the moment of speech, a verb with the ending is used -ing:

Where is he? – No must be swimming in the pool. -Where is he? - He, must be floating in the pool (now).

3.2 Assumption relating to the past tense

Where is my phone? I must have forgotten it at home. - Where is my phone? I, I must have forgotten his home.

She must have been very dissapointed. - She, there must be, Very disappointed.

Note: How do you express a future tense proposition?

Verb must not used to express an assumption about the future. You can use other means for this, for example: probably, perhaps- probably to be likely to(to be possible, probable).

January, there must be, it will be cold. – January will probably be cold/January is likely to be cold / Perhaps January will be cold.

She, there must be, will forgive her husband. – She will probably forgive her husband / She is likely to forgive her husband / Perhaps, she will forgive her husband.

Also note that the assumption with must cannot be constructed in negative form. Other words are used for this too.

He, there must be, does not speak English. – No probably doesn't speak English.

Modal verb Must and phrase Have to

Synonym of verb must is the turnover have to- to be due. Unlike must, it can be used at any time. In a negative form, it expresses not a prohibition, but a lack of necessity (“must not”). There is a rather subtle semantic difference between them.

Must used as a “strong” ought, expressing an obligation or necessity to do something that you really consider necessary, something that is personally relevant to you, and also something that is extremely important.

I must pass the exam. - I must pass the exam (this is my obligation).

Have to can express a “soft” obligation: the need to do something, often forced, sometimes not so important.

We have to hurry. - Us need to hurry up (We must hurry up).

You don't have to tip a bartender here. - Here you are not obliged tip the bartender (shouldn't).

He didn't have to help me. - He didn't have to help me.

I will have to wait. - To me will have to wait.

However, in colloquial speech have to often used in the same sense as must.

I have to pass the exam. - I must pass the exam.

This sentence can be understood in two ways: 1) I must pass the exam because I am forced, obliged, 2) I must pass the exam because it is my personal moral duty (as with the verb must).

Let's try to compare two sentences with must And have to to better understand the difference. The company went on a hike, and in the process it turned out that Tim had difficulty carrying his things. We have to help him.

We must helpTim. - We should help Tim.

In this case, Tim is our friend, we cannot leave him, he needs, definitely needs help. So what if he took more things than he could carry? We will help him. If he were us, Tim would have done the same.

We have to helpTim. - We should help Tim.

Some Tim took more junk than he could handle. Because of him, everyone has to walk slower, he constantly asks to wait. We'll have to help him, but next time we won't take him with us.

This is a very rough example, because the option with have to may be suitable for the first case with Tim the friend. Much depends on the context, the specific case, and even the intonation with which you say the phrase.

In general, in colloquial speech they use much more often have to, when you need to say something like “I must”, “I have to”, “I have to”, etc.

Difference between Must, Have to, Should, Be Supposed to

The difference between must And have to we've already sorted it out. Let's see how the modal verb differs from them should and turnover be supposed to. The main difference is that they do not express obligation, although they can be translated into Russian with the words “need” or “must”.

Should– this is used (in particular) to express advice, wishes, recommendations. That is, not “you should”, but “you should”:

You should try this cake, it's delicious. - You should(you should / you should / you need) try this pie, it’s very tasty.

We shouldn't leave the door open. It's cold out there. - Us not worth it(shouldn't) leave the door open. It's cold outside.

Expressions with turnover be supposed to are often translated with the word “must”, but this is not “should” in the sense of “obliged, forced”, but “must” in the sense of “ in theory should" or "it is implied that". The difference is huge.

I saw you outside smoking, but you were supposed to be working. - I saw you smoking on the street, then you (in theory) should have work (but didn't work).

This is supposed to be the best day in my life, but I’m not feeling happy. - This should be (in theory) best day of my life, but I don't feel happy.

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