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Exercises

Must or have to quiz

Who decides – you, or the rules? Practise must, have to, mustn’t and don’t have to, plus the past and future forms, with business examples.

Quick rules

must

An obligation you feel yourself, or strong advice.

I must call Maria – I haven’t spoken to her for weeks.

have to

An obligation from outside: rules, the law, the situation.

I have to wear a suit – it’s the dress code.

mustn’t

It is not allowed.

You mustn’t share these figures – they’re confidential.

don’t have to

It isn’t necessary.

You don’t have to come – I’ll send you the notes.

had to / will have to

‘Must’ has no past or future form, so we use ‘have to’.

Sorry I’m late – I had to finish a report.

1. Must or have to?

Who creates the obligation – and is it necessary, or not allowed?

1I   call Maria later – I haven’t spoken to her for weeks.
2I   wear a suit at work – it’s the dress code. I’d much rather wear jeans!
3You really   try the new café on the ground floor – the coffee is excellent.
4You   share these figures outside the company – they’re confidential.
5You   come to the meeting if you’re busy – I’ll send you the notes.

6You (not / have to) wear a tie – the dress code is smart casual.

2. Past, future and other forms

‘Must’ only works in the present – everywhere else, use ‘have to’.

1Sorry I’m late. I   stay behind to finish a report.
2If the client cancels, we may   change our plans.
3I don’t like   stay in the office late on Fridays.
4I don’t want   cancel the trip and lose our deposit.
5The security staff told us that we   our bags so that they could search them.

6We (have to) cancel the offsite next week because the hotel is fully booked.

7Last year we (have to) cut our marketing budget by 20%.

Check a section to see your score here.

More practice

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