Must/ Have to/ Can

Must/ Have to/ Can

Index

1. Must

2. Have to

3. Mustn't and don't have to

4. Can

5. Video

6. Practice

Must

Must

Must is often used in written rules: All employees must wear a helmet. People in authority use must when they are speaking, for example, teachers, doctors, etc.. You must turn off your phone in an exam.

Must

written rules: People in authority

Have to

Have to

We use have to when we say what is necessary or mandatory. It is very common in spoken English: Doctors have to work very long hours. I have to leave for work at 7:00 am.

Have to

Something necessary or mandatory.

Have to + infinitive

Mustn't and Don't have to

Mustn't and Don't have to

Mustn't and don't have to have very different meanings. Mustn't means something is not allowed - it is important not to do something: Students mustn't talk during exams. You mustn't eat in here.

Mustn't and Don't have to

Don't have to means something is unnecessary: Teachers don't have to wear a uniform. He doesn't have to work because he's rich.

Mustn't and Don't have to

Must + infinitive

Can

Can

Can means something is allowed: You can take a one-hour lunch break. You can borrow up to five books from the library. Can't is similar to mustn't. It means not allowed / not possible: You can't eat here. Doctors can't relax for very long.

Can

Something is allowed: Can't =not allowed / not possible:

Can + infinitive

Practice

Video

Index

Practice

Index