Have To vs. Need To vs. Must – What’s the difference in English?
- I need to go to the store.
- I have to go to the store.
- I must go to the store.
- I need to go now.
- I have to go now.
- I must go now.
Do these sentences mean the same thing? Can we always use them in the same way?
Let’s find out in today’s Confident English lesson.
Need to vs. have to vs. must can be used as synonyms. Sometimes. That’s the good news.
Generally, they all mean that you’re talking about a responsibility, an obligation, or something that is important to do. This is where they are similar. In positive sentences.
But there are some small differences in connotation and how we use them. (Connotation is the feeling or idea a word gives in addition to its meaning.)
And then, in negative sentences (for example, don’t have to and mustn’t), the meanings are not at all similar.
This means you must be careful about which verb you use. Let’s take a closer look at how English speakers use these verbs in everyday conversation. I want you to learn how to use them in the same way.
What do these mean in real daily English? How are they similar or different?
Lesson by Annemarie
Practice Have to, Need to, and Must in English
Now that you’ve watched the lesson, let’s get some practice. You can share with me in the comments below. And when you do, it means you’ll get feedback from me, so don’t miss that opportunity.
- To start, tell me something that you need to do this week. This means it’s something that is important to you.
- Now share with me a work or study obligation you have soon. Maybe it’s this week. Maybe next weekend. But it is a necessity for work or school.
- Can you give me an example of something that you really want or desire using the correct verbs from our lesson?
- And finally, give me an example of something that is your choice. Maybe you have the option to do something this weekend. What is it?
With these examples, be sure to follow the general rules from the lesson about whether you should use need to, have to, or must in the positive and negative forms.
Have a great week!
Annemarie
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Thanks for the lesson. 🙂
Thanks for the lesson!
My answers:
Thanks for this very helpful lesson!
1. I need to get ahead of my study schedule, otherwise I will end up feeling stressed again on the weekend.
2. I have to read the whole next biology chapter so I can answer the teacher’s questions.
3. I must get the newest book from my favourite author. Today!
4. I don’t have to visit my grandparents today. But I could.
Thanks for your feedback! 🙂
Thank you for the very helpful lesson.
Hi Annemarie mam,
It’s very useful video for me😊
* I need to go to buy some grocery items this weekend it’s almost over.
* I have to finish this school work today I don’t have time tomorrow.
* You must not do this again it’s not good for your health.
Thanks, Vijaya. I’m glad to know it was helpful to you!
Annemarie thanks so much !! you are fantastic teacher . the expliciation was easy understood
my examples :
1. I need to go Immigration Center to get my passport.
2. I have to pay the University matricule for study this semester.
3. a) I must travel to USA , it´s my dream since child , go to Disney World.
3. b) I have to lose 10 kilos for use my favorite dress.
4. I musn’t drink cold water this week
Great examples, Harumi. Perhaps with ‘travel to the USA’ you could say you want to, which is slightly different from the meaning of the other verbs in this lesson.
Hi! Thank you very much for the lesson 🙂 Very helpful for sorting my brainstorming priorities. – I need to say you are beautiful! – I need to automate my cleaning and order routing. – I need to calculate my food consumption and burn out so I can know how much food I need to buy. – I need a balanced time plan. – I need to do a schedule this semester – I need to change passwords – I need to learn how fast I can read – I need to find time to sort and review my reading… Read more »
Hi Annemarie, This is the first time I have watched your video. I was brushing up on my modal verbs and I chanced upon your video . I am a teacher myself. I write this message to appreciate your work. Your intonation, the calmness in your voice, the warmth in your smile, the clarity of your words, your peaceful demeanour is highly motivating. I would like to emulate some of the above mentioned aspects in my training too. Thank you for the efforts and time invested in making the video and responding to the participants. Look forward to watching more… Read more »
Hello Girish,
Thank you for your kind comments. I truly appreciate them and I’m glad to know my site is useful to you!
Thank you for clear explanation. That’s really helpful!
I need to study hard to get good grade on final exam.
I recommend this restaurant but you wouldn’t have to go there if you had your plan.
I mustn’t bring electric clock in test place.
Students must submit the report by this Fri or you can’t get grade.
Hi Sohyun,
Thank you for sharing your answers with these easily confused words. Nice work!
One question, can you clarify what you mean by, “…but you wouldn’t have to go there if you had your plan.”
This is an answer of your question; I don’t want to give pressure to the listener. The situation is I had a dinner yesterday at the restaurant. It was so nice that I recommend the restaurant but meaning no obligation. In Korea, we don’t have the intonation and some in trospective people think the recommendation is as a pressure or necesssary, so when ever I ment suggestion or recommendation I say you shouldn’t go there , it’s up to you or if you had your plan you wouldn’t need to go there. Sorry for replying it lately Thank you for… Read more »
Hello Sohyun,
Thank you for your comment and sharing your experience. There are certainly great differences between Korean and English. It’s up to you is a great way to show that someone has a choice about what they want to do.
I have to go to school, otherwise my parents would go to the jill.
I need to go for a walk with my dogs.
I have not to buy useless presents for Christmas.
I mustn´t kill random people.
Hi Tereza,
Thank you for sharing your example answers.
In number 3, we want to change the negative form. We need to use a helping verb. I _____ _____ have to buy useless presents for Christmas. What words would you use?
Hi Annemarie, thanks for your free lessons. My examples are.
1. I need to go running
2. I have to check my email.
3. I must visit Austria ski resorts
4. I have to dinner with Tom on saturday.
Hi Julia,
Thank you for sharing your answers and practicing these easily confused words.
One note: It looks like there is a verb missing in number 4. I have to _____ to dinner with Tom on Saturday. What verb would you use?
Hello Annemarie, It is really happy to connect with you.
I need to go to driving class this week
I have to finish my pending works today
I mustn’t stop reading English books to know more vocabulary
Hello Paran,
I’m glad to have you here. And excellent examples. Well done!
One note: When we’re talking about our work, the word is noncount. How might you change this word in your sentence?
I have to use a coupon at supermarket before it expired.
I must practice very hard to improve my English.
I need to wake up early every morning to work.
I must go to China on next month.
Hi Tam,
Thank you for sharing your answers and great example sentences! It looks like you definitely understood the differences between these easily confused words.
I need to be good in teaching English.
I must be a good leader and follower too.
I have to work hard for this month.
I mustn’t stop learning.
Oh, great examples Jinnerose. And I love, “I mustn’t stop learning.” Wonderful example.
Hello Annemarie. Thank you very much for this lesson. It helped me a lot.
I need to go to swimming pool on weekend.
I have to study a driving book.
I mustn’t attend a meeting this week.
Hi Lilia,
I’m glad to know this lesson was helpful. And thank you for sharing your examples!
Can I ask, why is it important to you to go swimming on the weekends?
And, with “I mustn’t attend a meeting this week.” –> This means it’s prohibited (not allowed, not acceptable) for you to attend a meeting. Is that what you wanted to say? If not, what might you change?
Thank you for your interested. I like to go to swimming pool because it is healthy and helping me to relax.
I didn’t have a meeting this week. I will have the meeting for next week.
I need to investigate in a complex data system to find an error which currently occures.
I have to give probation feedbacks to some employees.
I mustn’t be responsible for the incapacity of others.
For calming down on weekend I haven’t to take a look in my emails.
For feeling more confident in English I have to practise daily.
I like your example with mustn’t and it’s very true. For the fourth example, let’s change the word order just a bit. If you start the sentence with, I don’t have to look at my emails on the weekend which… –> how would you finish it?
I don’t have to look at my emails on the weekend which helps me to calm down.
Thank you for your respond and interest.
I need to be more fluent in English.
I must do my homework before the due date.
My daughter mustn’t lied to me.
A more fluent spoken English is a requirement to have a better job.
Great examples, Odris. Especially with using mustn’t.
I wish you continued success in your English fluency for your work.
I need to prepare myself for a job interview today. I must help my daughter build up her reading skills, s that she can be successful in school.
Hello Brenda,
Thank you for sharing your examples. And how did your job interview go? I hope it was successful. Did you know I have a series of lessons on job interviews in English? You can get the first lessons by clicking: How to Answer Tell Me About Yourself.
Wonderful job with your example sentences.
1. I need to start writing my thesis before the end of this year.
2. I have to prepare an annual report by the end of next week / I must prepare an annual report by the end of next week.
3. I must visit Italy before it is too dangerous / I have to visit Italy before it is too dangerous.
4. I have to work this weekend (although I’m not obliged to do it) / I need to work this weekend.
Hello R.
Thanks for sharing your examples. Writing a thesis! That is important work.
With number 4, it might be better to use the negative form to show that it’s your choice. How might you change it?