0
Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

I've told them.

Please help me.

Which is correct:

1. I've told the children that they must come home before ten on Saturday nights.

2. I've told the children that they have to come home before ten on Saturday nights.

3. I've told the children that they would have to come home before ten on Saturday nights.

Thanks.
  

Top answer

Strictly, #1 is correct: must is usually reserved for the speaker's authority, where have to is supposed to represent outside strictures. However, #2 is also widely used in such a statement when spoken and the truth remains current; #3, by the same token, is a correct regression of the dependent verb in a report of the phrase that they will have to come home . That they had to come home is the regression for #2.

— Mister Micawber

  • Strictly, #1 is correct: must is usually reserved for the speaker's authority, where have to is supposed to represent outside strictures.
  • However, #2 is also widely used in such a statement when spoken and the truth remains current; #3, by the same token, is a correct regression of the dependent verb in a report of the phrase that they will have to come home .
  • That they had to come home is the regression for #2.
  • Is that clear?
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

1 Answers
0
Strictly, #1 is correct: must is usually reserved for the speaker's authority, where have to is supposed to represent outside strictures. However, #2 is also widely used in such a statement when spoken and the truth remains current; #3, by the same token, is a correct regression of the dependent verb in a report of the phrase that they will have to come home. That
0

Related Questions