Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mswiftansan]

So, I'm looking at next week's lesson:
"Can you join us?" Sorry. I can't. I must go home."
MUST? Who says that? My Grandma? Is it a British, Kiwi, or Aussie thing because in Canada I swear we say "I have to go home".
What's your opinion? I guess I'll just teach the lesson as laid out, but it sure feels weird.

[neandergirl]

I don't find it odd. I prolly say "have to go home" or "have got to get home" and even "must be getting home" more often, but "must go home" doesn't set any buzzers off for me.

[Gia3000]

Check this:

You must do your homework.
You must wipe your feet before you enter.
MUST : obligation is imposed by the speaker. The speaker has authority over the one that is spoken to and he/she exercises his/her power.

Must is also preferred to refer to ourselves (I must go now) and to express a strong advice or invitation (That's a picture you really must see).

You have to pass your exams if you want to succeed.
In England you have to drive on the left.
HAVE TO: obligation springs from circumstances or external rules. Something has to be done, whether the speaker likes it or not.

I think it's a British thing. I'm not sure though. 'Must' and 'have to' can be used interchangeably (according to some grammar books). The only difference is when it comes to the negative form.

I agree with you though. Canadians seem to prefer 'have to' to 'must'. Americans seem to really like 'got to'.

I am no good at explaining nuances between modals. Is anyone else feeling the same way?

[ilovebdt]

Sounds ok to me.

[tzechuk]

Yeah it sounds ok.

Alternatively, you could say *I must get going*.

[Demonicat]

Must sounds mor epolite and refined...and if I had said "have got" or "got to" when I was a kid, my mom would have smacked the hell out of me for talking like a hillbilly.

[I_Am_Wrong]

Must is fine.
We did this lesson today and I just told the kids that they can say "have to" or "must" I think must sounds like it applies some sort of emergence to the situation and that doesn't really fit the situation of the children in the cartoon.

but who knows? maybe the potatos were of extreme importance?

[Ya-ta Boy]

It sounds pretentious to me. It's far more likely that I would say that the other person 'must' do something.

I'm 'sure' it's a regional thing. Demonicat says it sounds like a hillbilly. I think it sounds like a snob. That's a good indication it's a regional thing. 'have to/got to/must' all can mean the same thing, but it must (^^) be one of those things that varies from area to area, which is one of the things that gives English its flavor.

My suggestion is that you teach 'must' first since it's in the book, then expand the lesson a bit and include the variations and let the students pick the one that's easiest for them to remember.

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Blargh, vomit, puke, arrrk "Ah godda gohhh!" Bleccchhh.

That's what I'd say.

Alternatively, "I must go home! Maman has made cucumber sandwiches for tea!"

[sheba]

'Must' stresses the necessity to do something.

[joe_doufu]

I never use "must" except in the sense of "almost definitely".
"He must be crazy," for instance. In any other situation it would be "have to" or "have got to".

[ajuma]

Ah! The difference between "book English" and "real English"! Sure, "must" is better grammar in some situations, but most people REALLY say "I've gotta go home" or "I have to go home" or I've gotta be getting home" or "I gotta go home". Teach the "book English" first, then give them the alternatives. If they're at a high enough level, explain that some things are "more correct" when written, and other things are "more correct" when spoken.

[ontheway]

to me:

"I've gotta go home." very casual and friendly

"I've got to go home." stronger, still casual

"I have to go home." more standard

"I must go home." implies extreme urgency (or snootyness if done with a tone or attitude)

[joe_doufu]

[peemil]

"I must punch Grandma now."

Yep. Sounds fine to me.