must

must1 [ weak məst, strong mʌst ] modal verb ***

Must is usually followed by an infinitive without to :

You must stop at the red light. Sometimes must is used without a following infinitive:

We will act alone if we must.

Must does not change its form, so the third person singular form does not end in -s :

She must be asleep.

Questions are formed without do :

Must we wear our uniforms? Must can be used in tag questions:

We must be almost there, mustn't we?

The negative form must not is used for saying that something should not be done. This is often shortened in conversation or informal writing to mustn't:

You mustn't use the office phone for private calls.

For saying that it is not necessary to do something not have to, not need to, or needn't is used:

Children don't have to pay to go in.

You don't need to take the test.

There is no infinitive form of must, so to have to is used instead:

I didn't expect to have to do my own cleaning.

There is no past tense, but had to is used for saying that something was necessary in the past:

We had to show our passports. Must have followed by a past participle can be used for saying that you believe something happened in the past:

They must have missed the train. When indirect speech is introduced by a verb in the past tense, must can be used as a past tense:

She said that I must come immediately.

There is no future tense, but must can be used for saying that someone should do something in the future:

You must be here at nine o'clock tomorrow morning. For saying that something will be necessary in the future will have to can be used:

Jason will have to sleep on the sofa.

1. ) used for saying that you think something is probably true because nothing else seems possible:

You must be tired after your long trip.

There must be some mistake no one with the name Shaw lives here.

I must have fallen asleep.

They must have gotten lost or they'd be here by now.

2. ) used for saying that it is necessary or important to do something:

Tomato plants must be watered regularly.

People must realize that there are limits to what we can do.

I've told you the truth. Must I keep repeating it?

We mustn't be late.

a ) used for ordering someone to do or not do something:

You must answer all the questions.

Shayler was warned that he must not publish the allegations.

b ) used for saying that it is your duty to do something:

We must defend the freedom that our parents fought for.

3. ) MAINLY BRITISH used for suggesting to someone that they should do something because it would be enjoyable, interesting, etc. In American English it is more common to use have to or have got to:

You must come and visit us again some time.

4. ) MAINLY BRITISH used for emphasizing that you intend to do something. In American English it is more common to use have to or have got to:

I must introduce you to my brother.

if you (really) must MAINLY BRITISH SPOKEN

used for telling someone it is all right to do something, even though you do not want them to:

I'm just going to finish this off first. Go ahead then, if you must.

must you? MAINLY BRITISH SPOKEN

used for telling someone that what they are doing annoys you:

Must you rush around without looking where you're going?

what/why must...? MAINLY BRITISH

used for showing that you are unhappy or angry about a situation:

Why must life be so complicated?

I forgot their daughter's name. What must they think of me?

=> SAY1

must

must 2 [ mʌst ] noun singular

a must

something that you definitely need in a particular situation:

Good binoculars are a must for any serious birdwatcher.