Must is most commonly used to express certainty. It can also be used
to express necessity or strong recommendation, although native speakers
prefer the more flexible form "have to." "Must not" can be used to
prohibit actions, but this sounds very severe; speakers prefer to use
softer modal verbs such as "should not" or "ought not" to dissuade
rather than prohibit.
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Needn´t isn´t common. |
We can see more details about it in the following box.

Modal Use | Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future |
Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future |
You can also use: |
must certainty |
1. That must be Jerry. They said he was tall with bright red hair.
2. That must have been the right restaurant. There are no other restaurants on this street. 3. NO FUTURE FORM |
1. That must not be Jerry. He is supposed to have red hair.
2. That must not have been the right restaurant. I guess there is another one around here somewhere. 3. NO FUTURE FORM |
have to |
must not prohibition |
You must not swim in that river. It's full of crocodiles.
You must not forget to take your malaria medication while your are in the tropics. Prohibition usually refer to the near future. |
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must strong recommendation (Americans prefer the form "should.") |
1. You must take some time off and get some rest.
2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You should have taken some time off last week to get some rest. 3. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You should take some time off next week to get some rest. |
1. You mustn't drink so much. It's not good for your health.
2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You shouldn't have drunk so much. That caused the accident. 3. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" You shouldn't drink at the party. You are going to be the designated driver. |
should |
must necessity (Americans prefer the form "have to.") |
1. You must have a permit to enter the national park.
2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We had to have a permit to enter the park. 3. We must get a permit to enter the park next week. |
1. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We don't have to get a permit to enter the national park. 2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We didn't have to get a permit to enter the national park. 3. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" We won't have to get a permit to enter the national park. |
have to |
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