1.

The use of must, must not (mustn't) and

need not (needn't)
The modals must, must not and need not have the same form regardless the
subject. There is no ending with he/she/it.
► If you want to say the sth. is unnecessary, use need not, not must not. (The
negation of must means not allowed to.)

I must play football. = I have to play football. *

I need not play football. = I do not need to play football. = I do not have to
play football.

I must not play football. = I am not allowed to play football.

You can use must only with Simple Present. If you want to use it with other
tenses, you need the form have to. This form is not the same regardless the
subject. Look at the following table.

Modal Substitutes

I must play I have to play football. *

football. *

I do not need to play

football.
I need not play
football.
I do not have to play
football.

I must not play I am not allowed to play

football. football.
The modal must can be used in the Simple Present only, so use the substitute
have to with other tenses. The form have to has the same form regardless the subject.
Pronoun Substitutes in the
Modal
s Simple Present

I, we, I must play

I have to play football. *
you, they football. *

He must play
he, she, it He has to play football. *
football. *
  see also point 3 below

2. Sentences and questions with have to

2.1. have to in the Simple Present
Prono Affirmative
Negative sentences Questions
uns sentences

I, we,
I have to get I do not have to get Do I have to get
you,
up early. up early. up early?
they

he, she, She has to She does not have Does she have to
it get up early. to get up early. get up early?

2.2. had to in the Simple Past

Affirmative Negative
Pronouns Questions
sentences sentences

I, he, she, it, I had to get I did not have to Did I have to
we, you, they up early. get up early. get up early?

2.3. Affirmative sentences with must

Modal Substitute Tense

I must play I have to play Simple

football. * football. * Present

I had to play Simple

not possible
football. Past

I will have to play

not possible will-future
football.
* see also point 3 below
2.4. Negations with must not, mustn't
Modal Substitute Tense

I must not play I am not allowed to play Simple

football. football. Present
 I was not allowed to play Simple
not possible
football. Past

I will not be allowed to

not possible will-future
play football.

2.5. Negations with need not, needn't, don't need, don't

have to
Modal Substitute Tense

I need not play

football.
I do not have to play Simple
football. Present
I do not need to play
football.

not possible
I did not have to play Simple
I did not need to play football. Past
football.
not possible
I will not have to play
will-future
I will not need to football.
play football.

2.6. Questions with need and have to

Modal Substitute Tense

Must he play football?

Does he have to play Simple
football? Present
Does he need to play football?

The modal must is not used in

the Simple Past. Did he have to play Simple
football? Past
Did he need to play football?

The modal must is not used in Will he have to play will-future

the will-future. football?
Will he need to play football?
The form need is not used as a modal, this is a main verb. This form cannot be
put before another verb.
I needn't sing. (Here needn't is a modal. The main verb is sing.)
We need a new computer. (Here need is a main verb).
I need sing. (This sentence is wrong.)

3. must or have to in the Simple Present

It is not always correct to substitute have to for must in the Simple Present.
Use the modal must when the obligation comes from the speaker.
• I must go to New York. I would like to see my sister.
• You must stop smoking.
Use the modal must in written orders or instructions.
• You must log in to read your messages.
Use the substitute form have to when there is an external obligation e.g.
timetable, weather or administration.
• Due to a snow storm the pilot has to land in Vancouver.
• My doctor says I have to stop smoking.