Talking About Rules, Advice, and Obligation

Imagine your teacher says:

“You must do your homework.”

Your friend might say:

“You should rest.”

And you might say about yourself:

“I have to leave early today.”

These words — must, have to, should, and ought to — help you talk about what’s necessary, what’s important, and what’s simply a good idea.

They make your English sound clearer, more polite, and more persuasive — because you can show how strong or weak your advice or obligation really is.

Let’s explore how to use each one, and when! 🌱✨

✏️ Detailed Explanation: Must, Have to, Should, and Ought to

All four express obligation, necessity, or advice — but they aren’t exactly the same.

✅ 1️⃣ Must

Meaning: Strong obligation or necessity — often from the speaker.

Examples:

• You must wear a seatbelt. (Rule / strong advice)

• I must finish this today. (Speaker feels it’s necessary)

Use:

• Present and future obligation.

• Often used for rules, instructions, and personal determination.

✅ 2️⃣ Have to

Meaning: Obligation or necessity — often from outside (rules, laws, circumstances).

Examples:

• I have to go to work at 8 a.m. (work schedule)

• You have to stop when the light is red. (traffic law)

Use:

• Present: have to / has to

• Past: had to

• Future: will have to

✅ 3️⃣ Should

Meaning: Advice or recommendation — not strong obligation.

Examples:

• You should see a doctor. (good idea)

• He should study harder. (recommendation)

Use:

• Present or future advice.

• Shows what’s a good or right thing to do.

✅ 4️⃣ Ought to

Meaning: Similar to “should” — also advice, moral duty, or expectation.

Examples:

• You ought to apologize. (it’s the right thing)

• They ought to arrive soon. (expectation)

Use:

• More formal than “should.”

• Less common in spoken English.

🌟 Quick Comparison Table:

✨ Tips to remember:

✔ Must → strong rule, law, speaker’s strong feeling
✔ Have to → necessity from external situation
✔ Should / Ought to → advice or moral duty, not required

🎯 Why learn them?

Because they help you:
✅ Give advice politely
✅ Talk about rules and obligations clearly
✅ Sound natural and correct in English

🌟 Conclusion:

Use:
✅ Must → strong obligation from speaker / rules
✅ Have to → necessity often from outside circumstances
✅ Should / Ought to → advice, moral duty, recommendation

Mastering these helps your English sound clear, polite, and correct! 🌍✨

📝 10 Multiple-Choice Quiz Questions