5. MUST

 
Must

The modal verb must is used for many expressions.

Examples:

  • She must smile more often. (Suggestion)
  • You must bring along an umbrella. It’s going to rain. (Command/Advice)
  • She has been talking for so long her mouth must be very dry now. (Opinion)
  • All of you must come over for the tea party next weekend. (Invitation)
  • I haven’t eaten a pear for a long while. I must pluck one from my neighbour’s tree. (Desire)

  • We have a pond, so we must keep some ducks. (Insistence)

 

Must is used to show something is required.

Examples:

  • You must sign the visitor book.
  • All applicants must fill in all the pink forms.

  • We must stop at the library to return the books.

 

Must is used to show something is necessary.

Examples:

  • You must follow the step-by-step instructions.
  • This big fat woman must do 30 minutes of vigorous exercise every day.

  • You must see the doctor about that lump on your neck.

 

Must is used to show something is required by a rule or law.

Examples:

  • All passengers must gather here fifteen minutes before departure.

  • You must obey the rules and not bring your pet monkey here. 

 

Must is used to show something that is very likely or possible.

Examples:

  • They must be arriving soon.
  • It must be almost one hundred people in that long queue.

  • He must be the skinniest member of his family. 

 

Must is used to emphasize a statement.

Examples:

  • I must say that big man was a real coward. (Emphasis)

  • You must admit you are wrong and they are right.

 

Must is used in questions to express annoyance or anger.

Examples:

  • Must you two visit the toilet so many times?
  • Why must you always say I’m wasting my time watching television?

  • Must you always be as stubborn as a mule? 

 

We use had to not must to express obligation and necessity in the past.

Examples:

  • Yes: I didn't pass my exam, and had to sit it again.
    No: I didn't pass my exam, and must sit it again.
  • Yes: Yesterday, we had to take a taxi home when the rain began to fall.
    No: Yesterday, we must take a taxi home whent the rain began to fall.

 

Must is used for a future action in the past.

Examples:

  • It was still a long way to go, but we knew we must arrive in the city before it got dark.

  • The police had no leads in the case, but they must carry on investigating into the woman’s murder