Have to / Must / Need to
Conversation #1
Man: I have to work today.
Woman: Really. I don’t have to.
Man: I better go. I need to get ready.
Woman: When do you start?
Man: At noon, but I have to leave early to beat the traffic.
Woman: Yeah, you need to get going.
Conversation #2
Man: What do you have to do today?
Woman: I have to clean my house.
Man: Really, it looks clean.
Woman: No, I need to dust, I need to clean the bathroom and I have to do laundry.
Man: Well, you seem busy, so I must be going.
Woman: Yeah, I need to get started, but call me later.
Conversation #3
Man: We need to pay this bill.
Woman: Why? We don’t have to pay it.
Man: Yes we do. We must.
Woman: No, it’s not a bill, just a donation.
Man: But if we don’t pay it, we will look bad.
Woman: No, we won’t. You mustn’t think that way.
Conversation #4
Man: What must we do today?
Woman: We have to mail these letters.
Man: Anything else?
Woman: Yeah, you need to pick up the kids from school.
Man: I can’t. I have to work.
Woman: OK, I can do it then. I have to go by the school anyway.
Need to / Have to / Must
need to - shows an action is important and necessary.
(Q) What do we need to bring?
(A) You need to have a swimsuit.
(N) You don’t need to wear a cap.
(Q) Do we need to show ID?
(A) Yes, you do.
(N) No, you don’t.
have to- shows an action is important and necessary.
(Q) What do you have to do?
(A) I have to clean my rooms.
(N) I don’t have to finish today.
(Q) Do you have to go?
(A) Yes, I have to. / Yes, I do.
(N) No, I don’t (have to)
not have to - shows an action is not necessary
You don’t have to come.
You don’t have to read that.
You don’t have to help
must - shows an action is important and necessary.
(Q) What must we do?
(A) You must try harder,
(N) You mustn’t do that again.
must not - shows an action is forbidden or should not be done.
You mustn’t be late.
You mustn’t make say that!
You mustn’t trust him!
