We must save them./We have to save them.
We must save them, okay? I can't live without them.
We have to save them, okay? I can't live without them.
- As I understand it the one with "must" is more emphatic than the one with "have to", right?
- But is it natural enough to be used or would native speakers just use the one with "have to"?
Top answer
In British English, 'have to' is about more general obligations; 'must' is about personal obligations. In American English, 'have to' is almost always used in conversation; 'must' is used on official signs ( Right lane must exit ). In both varieties of English, 'must' is also used to show logical deduction ( The dog is scratching at the door; he must want to go out ).
- In British English, 'have to' is about more general obligations; 'must' is about personal obligations.
- In American English, 'have to' is almost always used in conversation; 'must' is used on official signs ( Right lane must exit ).
- In both varieties of English, 'must' is also used to show logical deduction ( The dog is scratching at the door; he must want to go out ).
- Being American, only "We have to save them" sounds right to me.
- CJ
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In British English, 'have to' is about more general obligations; 'must' is about personal obligations.
In American English, 'have to' is almost always used in conversation; 'must' is used on official signs (Right lane must exit).
In both varieties of English, 'must' is also used to show logical deduction (The dog is scratching at the door; he must want to go out).
0anonymous- As I understand it the one with "must" is more emphatic than the one with "have to", right?
I don't really perceive that.
anonymous- But is it natural enough to be used or would native speakers just use the one with "have to"?
Both of your sentences are natural. "have to" can seem a bit more colloquial.
0
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