Have to / must / should. Must/have to express strong obligation; should gives advice.
The idea
Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition.
Structure & examples
You must wear a helmet; it is compulsory.
You should take a break.
Notice the pattern
Distinguish lack of necessity from prohibition. You do not have to go means going is optional; you must not go means going is forbidden. Should is usually advice, while have to often describes a requirement imposed by a rule or situation.
You should ask for help.
We must not park here.
Important notes & common mistakes
Must not means forbidden; do not have to means unnecessary.
Before you practice
First choose a form from the options. Then produce it yourself using the word or structure in the instruction. Finally, build complete sentences. Check the explanation after each answer and revisit any mistakes in your review list.
Extended topic: Have to / must / should
Must/have to express strong obligation; should gives advice. Mustn't prohibits, whereas don't have to removes necessity. Use had to for past obligation. Needn't also means no necessity, not prohibition.
Examples in context
Notice how each form fits its sentence. Read the context before choosing a form.
You must show your ticket; it is required.
You don't have to bring food; lunch is provided.
You mustn't touch that cable; it is forbidden.
She had to work late yesterday.
You should ask for help if you're confused.
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition.
You ___ get some rest; you look tired.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: should
Completed sentence: You should get some rest; you look tired. Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition.
Visitors ___ smoke here; it is prohibited.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: must not
Completed sentence: Visitors must not smoke here; it is prohibited. Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition.
You ___ pay; admission is free.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: do not have to
Completed sentence: You do not have to pay; admission is free. Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition.
We ___ show ID at the entrance.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: have to
Completed sentence: We have to show ID at the entrance. Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition.
Question 1 of 50% complete
You ___ wear a helmet; it is compulsory.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: must
Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: should
Completed sentence: You should get some rest; you look tired. Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: must not
Completed sentence: Visitors must not smoke here; it is prohibited. Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: do not have to
Completed sentence: You do not have to pay; admission is free. Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: have to
Completed sentence: We have to show ID at the entrance. Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: should
Completed sentence: Use should: You should drink more water; that is my advice. Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: must not
Completed sentence: Use must not: You must not enter this restricted area. Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: has to
Completed sentence: Use have to with she: She has to wear a uniform at work. Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: do not have to
Completed sentence: Use do not have to: We do not have to book; there are plenty of seats. Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: should not
Completed sentence: Use should not: You should not stay up so late; it leaves you tired. Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: You should take a break
Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition. Must not means forbidden; do not have to means unnecessary.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: You should ask for help
You should ask for help. Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition. Must not means forbidden; do not have to means unnecessary.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: We must not park here
We must not park here. Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition. Must not means forbidden; do not have to means unnecessary.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: He has to work tomorrow
He has to work tomorrow. Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition. Must not means forbidden; do not have to means unnecessary.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: They do not have to wait
They do not have to wait. Should gives advice. Must and have to express obligation. Must not expresses prohibition. Must not means forbidden; do not have to means unnecessary.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: must
Completed sentence: You must show your ticket; it is required. Must/have to express strong obligation; should gives advice. Mustn't prohibits, whereas don't have to removes necessity. Use had to for past obligation. Needn't also means no necessity, not prohibition.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: don't have to
Completed sentence: You don't have to bring food; lunch is provided. Must/have to express strong obligation; should gives advice. Mustn't prohibits, whereas don't have to removes necessity. Use had to for past obligation. Needn't also means no necessity, not prohibition.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: mustn't
Completed sentence: You mustn't touch that cable; it is forbidden. Must/have to express strong obligation; should gives advice. Mustn't prohibits, whereas don't have to removes necessity. Use had to for past obligation. Needn't also means no necessity, not prohibition.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: had
Completed sentence: She had to work late yesterday. Must/have to express strong obligation; should gives advice. Mustn't prohibits, whereas don't have to removes necessity. Use had to for past obligation. Needn't also means no necessity, not prohibition.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: should
Completed sentence: You should ask for help if you're confused. Must/have to express strong obligation; should gives advice. Mustn't prohibits, whereas don't have to removes necessity. Use had to for past obligation. Needn't also means no necessity, not prohibition.
Keep learning
Choose your next small step
Continue this topic or practice every English skill at the same level.
