Using "Must" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "must" behaves in different
contexts.

Positive Forms Negative Forms You can

Modal Use
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future also use:

1. That must not be Jerry. He is supposed to have

1. That must be Jerry. They said he was tall
red hair.
with bright red hair.
2. That must not have been the right restaurant. I
must 2. That must have been the right restaurant.
guess there is another one around here have to
certainty There are no other restaurants on this street.
somewhere.
3. NO FUTURE FORM
3. NO FUTURE FORM

You must not swim in that river. It's full of

crocodiles.

must not You must not forget to take your malaria

prohibition medication while your are in the tropics.

Prohibition usually refer to the near future.

must 1. You must take some time off and get 1. You mustn't drink so much. It's not good for should
strong some rest. your health.
recommendatio
n 2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" 2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD"
You should have taken some time off last You shouldn't have drunk so much. That caused
(Americans week to get some rest. the accident.
prefer
the form 3. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" 3. SHIFT TO "SHOULD"
"should.") You should take some time off next week to You shouldn't drink at the party. You are going to
get some rest. be the designated driver.

1. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"

We don't have to get a permit to enter the
1. You must have a permit to enter the
must national park.
national park.
necessity
2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"
2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"
(Americans We didn't have to get a permit to enter the
We had to have a permit to enter the park.
prefer national park.
the form
3. We must get a permit to enter the park
"have to.") 3. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"
next week.
We won't have to get a permit to enter the
national park.