Modal Verbs: Have to and Must: The Grammar Gameshow Episode 5

Hello, and welcome to today’s Grammar Gameshow!

I’m your host, Will,

but I’m no has been!

And of course, let’s not forget Leslie,

our all-knowing voice in the sky.

Hello, everyone!

Tonight we’re going to ask you three questions about…

Have to and must.

Those two little expressions that are to do with

obligation and make all the rules!

OK! Now, let’s meet our contestants!

Hi, everyone. I’m Simone!

And contestant number two?

Hello, everyone. I’m Mya!

Welcome back, Mya!

OK! Let’s get going.

And don’t forget you can play along at home too

Our first question is multiple choice.

Which of these uses of ‘have to’ and ‘must’

is different from the others?

a) You must wear your seatbelt.

b) You have to wear your seatbelt.

c) You mustn’t wear your seatbelt.

d) You don’t have to wear your seatbelt.

D is different because it describes a voluntary action

Leslie?

You’re not wrong there, Simone.

‘Must’, ‘mustn’t’ and ‘have to’ all talk

about obligations - for example, rules that

you need to follow.

But ‘don’t have to’ is the opposite –

the actions it describes are voluntary.

Such as, Will doesn’t have to give anyone any points!

He’s the boss!

True! But, since I’m nice!

Simone, you can have two points.

And Mya, I liked your ‘thinking face’ there,

two points to you!

Hang on! That’s not fair. Why does…

Fingers on the buzzers.

Here comes question two! True or false:

There is no difference between

‘have to’ and ‘must’ for obligations.

False!

Leslie?

It is false!

Although many use them interchangeably,

in fact,

we use ‘have to’ for external obligations,

and ‘must’ for internal obligations.

OK. One point for that.

Now for the quick fire part.

Based on what Leslie has just told us,

tell me if these obligations would take

‘have to’ or ‘must’.

You decide not to smoke.

I mustn’t smoke.

Correct!

The government wants you to pay your taxes.

We have to pay taxes.

Correct!

You don’t want to exercise, but the doctor tells you to.

I have to exercise.

Correct!

You want to brush your teeth more.

I must brush my teeth more.

Correct!

You try to resist eating chocolate.

I mustn’t eat chocolate.

Correct!

Your parents tell you to do homework.

I have to do homework.

Correct!

Well done both of you.

Have 13 points between you.

It’s time for our final question:

‘Must’ and ‘have to’ are modal verbs.

But why is ‘have to’ different from other modal verbs?

Trick question!

All modal verbs are followed by a bare infinitive verb

so there is no difference.

Leslie?

It’s true that all modals, including ‘must’ and ‘have to’,

are followed by a bare infinitive

But that’s not our answer.

Ouch, Simone. You crashed and burned there.

Mya, I can offer it to you.

Is it because modal verbs don’t change their form,

but ‘have to’ does?

Leslie?

Absolutely right!

Unlike other modal verbs,

‘have to’ changes to show person

– for example, ‘have to’, ‘has to’ -

and time

– for example, ‘had to’, ‘didn’t have to'.

Its meaning doesn’t change though.

Good job Mya.

You know, I’m taking 20 points away from Simone

for stupidity,

and giving them to you.

No!

Well that brings us to the end of today’s

Grammar Gameshow.

Let’s count out the points.

And the winner is…

Mya...

with 37 and a half.

Well done!

Here’s what you’ve won!

It’s a cuddly toy!

You’ve finally got a friend!

We’ll see you again next week,

where you can play for an even bigger prize.

And, Simone,

what happened? You were doing so well!

Well, to be honest I…

Unleash the sheep.

It looks like we’ll need another contestant.

Thanks for joining us.

Say goodbye, Leslie.

Goodbye, Leslie.

See you next time!