Have to, must, don’t have to

  • A2 · Elementary
  • Grammar lesson
  • 60 min

Rules and necessity: have to and must (You must shower before you swim), don't have to for what isn't necessary (You don't have to bring a towel), must not and can't for what isn't allowed, and Do I have to…? From the rules at a community pool to the student's own house rules for a house-sitter.

Teach this lessonDownload PDF

Free, no card needed. The PDF has every slide, the homework and an answer key.

have tomustdon't have to

What's in the lesson

  1. 1Warm-up
  2. 2In this lesson
  3. 3Reading: Linden Park PoolReading comprehension
  4. 4What does it mean?Grammar exercise
  5. 5Find the rulesGrammar exercise
  6. 6How have to and must workGrammar rule
  7. 7Not necessary or not allowed?Grammar exercise
  8. 8The pottery classGrammar exercise
  9. 9Find the mistakeGrammar exercise
  10. 10Questions for your teacherGrammar exercise
  11. 11Say it naturallySpeaking practice
  12. 12House rulesSpeaking practice
  13. 13About youGrammar exercise
  14. 14Wrap-up

Homework

  1. 1Homework: the new trampoline parkGrammar exercise
  2. 2Homework: which one?Grammar exercise
  3. 3Homework: find the mistakeGrammar exercise
  4. 4Homework: welcome to our new placeDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

A few questions about you before we start.

  1. Can you swim? Where and when did you learn?
  2. Have you ever broken a rule by mistake? What happened?
  3. Which rule in your home do people often forget?

Grammar rule

How have to and must work

It is necessary: have to, must

Example
have to / has toI have to start work at seven. My sister has to take two buses to work.
must (signs, written rules)All guests must check out by noon.
QuestionDo we have to pay for the bags? — Yes, you do. / No, you don't. Does he have to stay?

It isn't necessary: don't have to

You don't have to call first. He doesn't have to do the dishes tonight. (You can do it if you like, but you don't need to.)

It isn't allowed: must not, can't

Guests must not cook in the rooms. (written rules) · You can't use your phone in here. (what we usually say)

have to changes with the subject: I / you / we / they have to, he / she / it has to. must never changes: he must (not he musts). After both, the verb has no -s and no -ing, and must has no to: not must to wear, not has to wears.
Questions and negatives with have to need do / does: Do you have to…? She doesn't have to… (not Have you to…?, not She hasn't to…). For questions, use Do I have to…?: Must I…? sounds very formal.
don't have to and must not are very different: You don't have to swim = it isn't necessary. You must not swim = it isn't allowed. mustn't is rare in American English: write must not, and say can't.
In fast speech, have to sounds like "hafta" and has to like "hasta". Write have to and has to.

Teach it live with video and a whiteboard, or print it: the PDF has every slide, the homework and the answers.

Teach this lesson
← Unit 4Should and shouldn’t