Confusing English Words challenge 6

Question

Algunas palabras en inglés pueden ser (sea) confusas para los principiantes. Some words in English can be confusing for learners.

This one is a bit different - it is to practice the Modal "Must" and the verb "to have to" -

I think they are used differently in Spanish compared to English but I am not sure.

Creo que se utilizan de manera diferente en español en comparación con Inglés, pero no estoy seguro.

Both native Spanish and English speakers may answer - but write both Spanish and English sentences.

I would appreciate some help in checking the Spanish sentences.

I will "accept" the best effort after about a week

This is not easy. Every attempt will get a vote.

Try to show why and when you use 'must' and not 'to have to'

Trate de mostrar por qué y cuando se utiliza 'deber' y no 'tener que'

NOTE - we need sentences in both Languages that illustrate how the the following are used.

a) Must

b) to have to

Futher explanation as to the different meanings may be given

Please do not suggest new word pairs.

I wish I had not started this thread now!

But have a look at my UPDATE below.

I would like input from Spanish and English speakers.

I know the difference, just not how to explain in Spanish. Good question... i'll be eager to see the response. =) - DJ_Huero, Mar 5, 2011

This is a doozy Ian, we english speakers ¨just use them ¨without thinking of their real meaning. - pacofinkler, Mar 12, 2011

Have to falls in the phrasal verb category, Mc millan in their explanation interchanges then in some of the forms - pacofinkler, Mar 12, 2011

Answer 1

As I understand it in English:

Must is (a) an obligation that comes from the speaker

a) The teacher said "You must do your homework!"

OR used instead of have to for emphasis because it is stronger.

b) You must remember to take your medicine or you'll get sick! It's very important!

Have to is when (a) the obligation is external (not from the speaker)

a) I have to wash the dishes - my mother said so.

OR (b) when you should use must but you use have to because it can be more polite because it's weaker.

b) You have to help me with my homework or I'll fail the test again!

I do not understand the differences in Spanish at all! I'm just going to try and guess at a translation.

Debes hacer tu deberes! (?)

Tienes que tomar su medicina o vas a enfermar! Es muy importante! (?)

Tengo que lavar los platos - mi madre lo dijo. (?)

Debes ayudarme con mi deberes o voy a suspender el examine otra vez. (?)

Very good explanation rabbit. But I have a slightly different one - for later. - ian-hill, Mar 6, 2011

Answer 2

1- I think I have to go there.

2- You must go! (there's no other options)

1) Creo que tengo ir allí.

2) Debes ir!

---

3- I must stop smoking (because I want to stop)

4- I have to stop smoking (because doctors said so!)

3) Debo dejar de fumar

4) Tengo que dejar de fumar

Great attempt Lovely - thanks. - ian-hill, Mar 5, 2011

Thank you for the exercise Ian :) - 00b6f46c, Mar 5, 2011

Answer 3

Comments:

1) I would say that "must" and "to have to" have the same meanings in terms of necessity, obligation, or strong belief, but "must" is more formal--similar to the difference between "shall" and "will" (in their overlapping meanings). It is this greater sense of formality that leads some people to feel that "must" is "stronger". "Need to" is another phrase with the same meaning.

2) I would say that "having to rain" has to do with the situation if it were not to rain and not with the state of the clouds--the later leads to a prediction that it will/is going to rain.

3) "To have to" has two negations. The first is formed by negating the obligation to form a prohibition and is the same as the negation of the obligation of must: "I have to not. . ." = "I must not. . .". The second is formed by negating "to have to" and "must" does not have a corresponding form: "I don't have to. . .". However, "I needn't. . ." is allowed.

Looking at the negative is very interesting. - JoyceM, Mar 12, 2011

Answer 4

If you want to win the lottery you must first buy a ticket. Si quiere tocar la lotería, primero hay que comprar un billete. You have to cross the road to get to the other side. Tiene que cruzar la calle para llega al otro lado.

What about "to have to" Ken? - ian-hill, Mar 5, 2011

Thanks Ken - ian-hill, Mar 5, 2011

Answer 5

a) You must wash the dishes before the guests arrive Tienes que lavar los trastes antes de que los invitados lleguen.

b) You have to go to to school to be someone in life. Debes ir a la escuela para ser alguien en la vida.

Thanks Dakie - Very Good - ian-hill, Mar 5, 2011

Answer 6

I spent a little time with this, with lousy results to tell the truth. In spanish the line is clear, as has been stated, but in english we have quite another story I think only a few of our experts could really clarify the true meanings and usages. From the Oxford, to the larousse, to McMillan, we get examples and more examples, but no clear definable answer that one can hang ones hat on. The answer must lie in some musty old tome, and will have to be somewhere in a musty old library.

After a bit of scrounging around the net I found this link:

http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-modals-have-to-must-not-2.htm

Answer 7

Must and to have to - They are often interchangeable.

The connection to Spanish for “must” is “deber”

The connection to Spanish for “to have to” is “tener que”

Note “to have got to” can also be used.

I must do it – “Debo hacerlo.” = it would benefit me to do it. / it is necessary for me to do it.

I have to do it – “Tengo que hacerlo” = I have an obligation to do it.

I do not have to do it = I am not obligated to do it.

The negative of must “must not” is a prohibition. = I must not do it ( it is forbidden )

Must is used to give someone else an obligation.

Father to daughter “You must be home before 10 o’clock”

Daughter to friends “I have to go now.” (My father gave me the obligation to do so)

Emphasis can be added to both “Must” and “to have to” by adding the word “really”.

“I really must do it.” I really have to do it”

I have been told that “must” is a stronger obligation than “to have to” in English.

But in my opinion it is not – it is a stronger necessity, maybe, but is not an obligation.

Me han dicho que "debe" es una obligación más fuerte que "tener que" en Inglés.

Pero en mi opinión no lo es - es una necesidad más fuerte, tal vez, pero no es una obligación.

Must usually expresses the feelings and wishes of the speaker.

To have to often expresses obligations that come from someone else (it is difficult to give oneself an obligation)

Must and to have to can both be used to ask questions.

“Must you do that?” (Do you really want to do that?) (Is it really necessary?)

“Do you have to do that?” (Is it really necessary?) (Is there an obligation?)

Must is also used for strong belief in something,

"It's been 2 hours; she must be home by now." (to have evidence or strong reason to believe something)

"Han pasado 2 horas; ya debe de estar en casa."

“It must rain soon, look at those clouds”

"Tiene que llover pronto, mira esas nubes"

"Debe llover pronto, mira esas nubes"

I am not sure which is used in Spanish.

**No estoy seguro de que se utiliza en español.****

Quick test

I’m tired I _____ go to bed. – must (it is necessary for me)

Estoy cansado tengo que ir a la cama. / Estoy cansado debo acostarme.

John _____ go to school on Saturdays. – does not have to (John has no obligation)

Juan no tiene que ir a la escuela los sábados.

We _____ get another dog soon. – must (it is necessary for us)

Tenemos que conseguir otro perro pronto. / Debemos conseguir otro perro pronto.

This is a great book. I ____ read it. – must (It would be a good idea)

Este es un gran libro. Tengo que leerlo. Este es un gran libro. / Debo leerlo.

A soldier _____ obey orders. – has to ( is obligated / ordered / rules)

Un soldado tiene que obedecer órdenes.

We _____ go to London for a meeting. – have to / have got to (we are obligated)

Tenemos que ir a Londres a una reunión.

I think we _____ pay in advance. – have to / have got to (we are obligated)

Creo que tenemos que pagar por adelantado.

You _____ visit us soon. – must (to try to give an obligation to someone)

Debes visitarnos pronto.

I _____ try to spend more time studying Spanish. – must (it is be a good idea)

Tengo que dedicar más tiempo a estudiar español. / Debo dedicar más tiempo a estudiar español.

You _____ go through London in order to reach Birmingham. – have to / have got to (it is necessary / the only way)

Tienes que pasar por Londres para llegar a Birmingham.

Any comments are very welcome. Gracias. :) - ian-hill, Mar 11, 2011

Answer 8

a) Débale b) Tener a

Hi Tyler - need sentences that show the difference ( Deber -Tener que) - ian-hill, Mar 5, 2011