Obligation

Must expresses strong obligation. The obligation comes from authority or is based on the opinion of the speaker.

  • You must work harder. (Said by a boss.)
  • I must learn more about this medication. (I really want to.)
  • She must get here before 9pm or I'll be angry. (My strong feeling.)

Have to expresses a general obligation that comes from outside the speaker. When you talk about obligations that you did not create, it is common to use have to. This is true even when you are describing rules, laws, and systems that you did not create.

  • We have to hire translators for this clinic.
  • In this country, you have to pay a lot of money to go to the hospital.
  • When driving on the highway, you have to drive carefully.

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Exercise

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