Must vs Have to Exercises

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.

MeaningFormExample
It’s necessarymust / have to / need toI must call Mum. You have to wear a seatbelt.
It’s forbiddenmustn’t / can’t / not allowed toYou mustn’t smoke here.
It isn’t necessarydon’t have to / don’t need to / needn’tYou don’t have to come if you’re busy.
Pasthad to / didn’t have to · needn’t have doneI had to work late. You needn’t have waited.
Futurewill have to / won’t have toWe’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.

Level A2 20 questions ~8 min
  1. You   wear a seatbelt in the car. It’s the law.

  2. You   come to the party if you don’t want to.

  3. You   touch that! It’s dangerous.

  4. She (have to) get up at 6 every day for work.

  5.   we have to wear a uniform at your school?

  6. Yesterday I   work late.

  7. It’s Saturday, so I (not / have to) go to school.

  8. You   be quiet in the library.

  9. He   wear glasses to read.

  10. Students   use phones in class.

  11. Did you (have to) pay for the tickets?

  12. You   bring food. There’s lots here.

  13. I   remember to call my mum tonight.

  14. We (have to) wait long. The bus came quickly. (past, negative)

  15. You   smoke in here. It’s not allowed.

  16. Tomorrow we   get up early to catch the plane.

  17. Does she   work on Sundays?

  18. You eat all of it if you’re not hungry. (not necessary)

  19. You   forget your passport!

  20. I’ve got a headache. I think I   go to bed.

0 / 20

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.