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Nina_Nia Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Modal verbs

Hello,

Why is it wrong to use must in situations like this?

Jill won't be at work this afternoon. She has to go to the doctor.
In many countries, men have to do military service.
The book says that 'have to' must be used instead of 'must'.

Thanks
  

Top answer

Nina_Nia he book says that 'have to' must be used instead of 'must'. The book is wrong re real English; however, the theory is that 'have to' refers to outside command or necessity while 'must' refers to inward compulsion, one's own feeling of necessity.

— Mister Micawber

  • Nina_Nia he book says that 'have to' must be used instead of 'must'.
  • The book is wrong re real English; however, the theory is that 'have to' refers to outside command or necessity while 'must' refers to inward compulsion, one's own feeling of necessity.
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6 Answers
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Nina_Niahe book says that 'have to' must be used instead of 'must'.
The book is wrong re real English; however, the theory is that 'have to' refers to outside command or necessity while 'must' refers to inward compulsion, one's own feeling of necessity.
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I will use must in this example; Jill won't be at work this afternoon. She must go to the doctor. As it must be her own feeling of necessity. I also read in my textbook that when you are giving your opinion both can be used(must and have to)but when you are not giving your opinion only have to not must.
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What is the exact difference between she has to go to doctor and she must go to doctor?

My book says: She has to go to the doctor(is not someone else's opinion, but a fact. So using 'must' would be wrong here.
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Nina_NiaWhat is the exact difference between she has to go to doctor and she must go to doctor?My book says: She has to go to the doctor(is not someone else's opinion, but a fact. So using 'must' would be wrong here.
I have already given you the guideline; however, when a native speaker utters it, the two have no distinctly different meaning.
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Mister Micawber is right, there is no real difference in meaning. Grammar books, textbooks and teachers will say "rules" like this because people want to know what the differences are. But you should try and think of grammar rules like the "rules" of men and women. Men like football. Women like shopping. These "rules" don't mean that men have to like football or women must like shopping. It
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