What are the differences between ''must'' & 'should'' ?

Question

what are the differences between ''must'' & ''should'' ?

Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

Modals (11) and their connections to Spanish (Auxiliary Words - not verbs)

Can the connection to Spanish is Poder and Saber present tense

I can drive Puedo/sé conducir

Can you speak Spanish? - ¿Puedés/sabés hablar español?

Could the connection to Spanish is Poder and Saber conditional

I could finish tomorrow … Podría terminar mañana ….

and past

It coudn't fly - (algo) No pudo/podría volar

Will the connection to Spanish is future tenses
I will speak English - Hablaré inglés

That will be very exciting - Eso será muy emocionante

Would the connection to Spanish is conditional

I would speak English - Hablaría ingles ….

Shall the connection to Spanish is future tenses

I shall speak English - Hablaré Inglés suggestions

Shall I drive you home? - ¿Te llevo a tu casa?

Shall we eat now? - ¿Comemos ahora?

or promises

We shall go to the movies - ¿Iremos al cine

Should the connection to Spanish is Deber

I should study more - Debería estudiar más

Everybody should see this - Todo el mundo debería ver esto

May the connection to Spanish is puede que, podría, quizá,

I may finish tomorrow - Puede que termine mañana.

May I use your telephone?- ¿Podría usar su teléfono?

He may not be right - Quizá él no tenga razón

Might the connection to Spanish is podría, quizá

Possibility

I might finish tomorrow - Podría terminar mañana

He might not want that - Él podría no querer eso

Used to the connection to Spanish is imperfect past tenses

I used to live in London. - Yo vivía en Londres -Yo solía vivir en Londres.

I used to like football. - Me gustaba el fútbol

Ought to the connection to Spanish is debería should

I ought to study more - Debería estudiar más

Must the connection to Spanish is Deber

A student must study - Un estudiante debe estudiar

Note: "to have to" is not a modal but a regular verb - Tener que.

ANY suggestions for improvemant would be welcome Thank you.

For example I think that "Must" and "To have to" are reversed in usage in Spanish but I would like feed back on this point

ian-hill: Very well done. - Otravez, Feb 7, 2011

Gracias amigo - ian-hill, Feb 7, 2011

thaaaaaanks a lolt! - 009b0176, Feb 28, 2011

Answer 2

Hi Loren, so you are from Egypt!! One of our star forers is from Egypt too, please get in touch with Lovely, she knows all about this site and will sure be able to help you a lot

Thanks Heidi :) - 00b6f46c, Feb 7, 2011

wow i didn't know that there is another person from egypt here thank you heidi! - 009b0176, Feb 28, 2011

Answer 3

must

should

Answer 4

I like to see it this way:

should is for giving advice

and

must for giving strong advice

Answer 5

" You must do it." There is not option

"You should do it." You have the option not to but it is strongly recommended that you do it.

Answer 6

must is what you have to do. - don't get confused between the terms must and have to. should is just an advice. - it's your choice but better if you do it.

lorenzo9's example is just perfect.

Answer 7

Hi Loren, please go to your profile and settings and fill in the info, we need to know your native tongue. Thanks.

Done! - 009b0176, Feb 7, 2011

Beginner Spanish and English - well this is the site you want as you can get lots of help with both but also it would be helpful for us to know what your native tongue is? :) - Kiwi-Girl, Feb 7, 2011

Answer 8

They both pertain to obligation, but I would say must is stronger than should. The onlly difference must is used to make observation. For example You must be tall.

Answer 9

Must is for orders - or for trying to give someone an obligation to do something.

"You must be home by 10 o'clock"

If your parent said this to you it would mean mean have an obligation to be home at that time.

You would then say to your friends

"I have to be home at 10 o'clock" You would have that obligation.

Must (deber). p.ej. I must = (debo).

Obligation/Assumption (obligación más fuerte que should)

Un estudiante debe estudiar

It must be closed / Debe de estar cerrado (supongo)

Note: You mustn’t do that! = Prohibition. You mustn't steal.

Should is used for advice and opinion.

"You should not drink so much" - is advice meaning that not drinking so much would be good for you.

"I think you should drink less" - is an opinion.

Should (debería). Shouldn’t
Se usa para expresar una obligación menor / sugerencia

Ought to is very similar to Should

Answer 10

Must has a much stronger meaning and is really saying that you have no choice about doing something It means the same as 'have to'

example 1 : "I must feed the children "= "I have to feed the children"

example 2 :The boss is talking to an employee (a worker) and says, : " You must finish your work and put it on my desk by (meaning before) midday!" (12pm noon)

You have to and you must really mean the same thing..There can be bad consequences if you do not do these things: The worker could lose his job

Should is not as strong. It means that it would be better if you did do something For example: "You should help your mother make the lunch"

"You should put on a coat to go outside because it is cold!

I hope this helps you

Answer 11

Hello Lorenm and Welcome to the Spanish Dict forum

You asked about the differences between must and should but you have not made clear which language you are talking about. ...do you want this information about English or Spanish? Please would you be kind enough to make your questions clearer in future

Would you please also write what your native language is ...on your profile This helps people make their answers more relevant to you! :

If this exactly what you wanted please thank him in the comment section or if you were requiring this information in Spanish please make this clear

Thank you We hope you will enjoy SpanishDict

Gfreed has given you a very helpful link to the English meaning and uses of the words must and should

Answer 12

You must breathe.

You should eat a balanced diet.