Must and have to both express obligation, and in positive sentences they often mean the same. The big difference is in the negative: mustn’t means it’s forbidden, but don’t have to means it isn’t necessary. Look through the table, then practise below. You’ll get an explanation after every answer.
| Meaning | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| It’s necessary | must / have to / need to | I must call Mum. You have to wear a seatbelt. |
| It’s forbidden | mustn’t / can’t / not allowed to | You mustn’t smoke here. |
| It isn’t necessary | don’t have to / don’t need to / needn’t | You don’t have to come if you’re busy. |
| Past | had to / didn’t have to · needn’t have done | I had to work late. You needn’t have waited. |
| Future | will have to / won’t have to | We’ll have to leave early. |
Must vs have to quiz
Four sets of 20 questions: start with Basics (A2) and move up to Advanced (B2–C1), or try the At work set with company rules. Prefer to check everything at the end? Switch to Exam mode.
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You wear a seatbelt in the car. It’s the law.
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You come to the party if you don’t want to.
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You touch that! It’s dangerous.
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She (have to) get up at 6 every day for work.
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we have to wear a uniform at your school?
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Yesterday I work late.
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It’s Saturday, so I (not / have to) go to school.
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You be quiet in the library.
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He wear glasses to read.
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Students use phones in class.
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Did you (have to) pay for the tickets?
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You bring food. There’s lots here.
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I remember to call my mum tonight.
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We (have to) wait long. The bus came quickly. (past, negative)
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You smoke in here. It’s not allowed.
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Tomorrow we get up early to catch the plane.
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Does she work on Sundays?
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You eat all of it if you’re not hungry. (not necessary)
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You forget your passport!
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I’ve got a headache. I think I go to bed.
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
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I finish this report today. My boss wants it by 5.
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You tell anyone. It’s a secret.
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When I was at school, we (have to) wear a tie.
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You book a table. The restaurant is never full.
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You really see that film. It’s brilliant!
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(you / have to) work tomorrow?
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I’ll leave early tomorrow. I’ve got a doctor’s appointment.
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We hurry. We’ve got plenty of time.
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You pay by card. Cash is fine too.
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Sorry, I go now. My train leaves in ten minutes. (informal: have got to)
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Has he wear a suit at work?
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You drive faster than 50 km/h in town.
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Last year I (not / have to) pay any tax.
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You apologise. It wasn’t your fault.
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Passengers show their passports at the gate.
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You eat more vegetables. They’re good for you.
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I’m sorry, I (have to) cancel our meeting tomorrow.
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Do I show my ID to get in?
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You to be 18 to vote in most countries.
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You ask permission to leave the room. Just go.
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
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I bought so much food. Nobody came to the party.
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I buy any food, so I didn’t go to the shop.
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You (bring) an umbrella. It didn’t rain in the end. (not necessary, but you did)
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We to leave the building when the alarm went off.
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All visitors are to sign in at reception.
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You have told me earlier! Now it’s too late.
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Attendance at the training is . (obligatory)
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I say, I’m impressed.
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There’s no need to rush. You hurry.
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You finish it today, but it would be helpful.
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“Did you have to wait long?” “No, I (not / have to) wait at all.”
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If you want to pass, you’ll work much harder.
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The doctor said I stop smoking.
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You be joking!
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We (not / need / cook). There was plenty of food left from yesterday, so we didn’t.
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You to have a visa to visit the country.
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Soldiers obey orders.
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I’ve had to my plans.
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You (take) a taxi! I could have picked you up. (it wasn’t necessary, but you did)
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Employees wear protective clothing at all times.
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
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All employees wear an ID badge.
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You share your password with anyone.
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I (have to) work late every day last week.
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You come to the office on Fridays. You can work from home.
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We send the invoice by Friday, or we won’t get paid this month.
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(I / have to) attend the training session?
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You print the documents. I’ll send them by email.
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She travel a lot for her job.
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Next month we’ll move to a smaller office.
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You discuss salaries with colleagues. It’s against company policy. (prohibited)
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I prepared so many slides. The meeting was cancelled.
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Staff to complete the safety course.
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We (not / have to) wear suits, but most people do.
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You check your emails at the weekend. Nobody expects it.
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I’m afraid I leave now. I have another meeting.
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You be late for the client meeting. It’s really important.
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Last year we (have to) cut costs by 10%.
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You ask the manager before you give a discount. It’s a good idea.
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Do we to get the client’s approval first?
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I say, the presentation was excellent.
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
Must or have to?
In British English, must often shows an obligation that comes from the speaker (I must stop eating so much chocolate), and have to an obligation from outside, like a rule, a law or a boss (I have to wear a uniform at work). In American English, have to is used for both. Must is also common in written rules and notices: Passengers must show their tickets.
Must has only one form, so for the past, the future and after other verbs we use have to: I had to wait. You’ll have to hurry. I’ve had to change my plans.
Needn’t have done vs didn’t need to
- I needn’t have bought so much food. (I bought it, but it wasn’t necessary)
- I didn’t need to buy any food. (it wasn’t necessary, and usually I didn’t buy any)
Common mistakes
- ❌ You mustn’t come if you’re busy. → ✅ You don’t have to come. (it’s optional)
- ❌ She must to work on Saturdays. → ✅ She must work / has to work…
- ❌ Yesterday I must stay at home. → ✅ Yesterday I had to stay at home.
- ❌ Does he has to go? → ✅ Does he have to go?
FAQ
What is “have got to”?
Have got to means the same as have to, but it’s more informal and mainly British: I’ve got to go now. It’s normally used only in the present.
What level are these exercises?
There are four sets: Basics (A2), Intermediate (B1), Advanced (B2–C1) and At work (B1–B2). See also our modal verbs of permission and modal verbs of possibility exercises.