Forms obligation

Question

When can we use (must / have to /  n eed  )? to epxress obligation .

Stephanie. · Accepted Answer

The answer to this question could be a whole lesson... Have you studied about it yourself? What do you know about these verbs and what exactly do you find difficult?

If you have not studied about it, the following article is very helpful.

http://www.learnersdictionary.com/qa/must-have-to-and-need

You can come up with specific questions. It will be easier for the teachers here to give an answer.

In case that the article seems too long, the following information is an extract from the article; it is exactly what you need.

"The verbs need, have to, and must are all synonyms of one another and are used to mean that something is necessary or required. But they each have slightly different connotations and uses.

Need to + verb: is the narrowest of the three verbs. It is most often used to say that an action should be done:

I need to wash my dirty clothes.

It is also used to say that it is very important and necessary for someone to do something:

I need to call my mom and find out how my dad's surgery went. [=It is necessary and important for me to call my mom and find out how my dad's surgery went.]

She didn't want to go into town, but she needed to buy groceries. [=It is important that she go into town because she will not have groceries otherwise.]

Must and have to are much broader. They can both be used to say that something is required or necessary:

We must go to the post office. = We have to go to the post office.

They can both be used to say that something is required by law:

You must file your taxes by April 15th. = You have to file your taxes by April 15th.

In all cases above, must is more formal than have to.

There is, however, one more use of have to that is unique: if you have to do, finish, etc. (something) or have (something) to do, finish, etc., that means that the thing mentioned has to be done in order to complete a task:

I only have six more pages to read and then I'm done with the book.
I only have to read six more pages and then I'm done with the book.

Anonymous · Answer

Here is a link that explains everything about your question with examples. http://grammar.ctx.ef.com/modals/modals-of-suggestion-advice-and-obligation

Often, a grammar question can't be precisely answered or explained on its face value without the help of lexical syntax. That being said, there are guidelines that we can follow.

Purpose	Modal
Suggestion	could might (want to)
Advice	should ought to had better
Obligation	must have / has (got) to

Forms obligation

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