Must

Definition

'Must' is a modal verb that expresses necessity or obligation. It indicates a strong requirement or an imperative that suggests something is essential or unavoidable. In various contexts, 'must' can also signal certainty about a situation or event, leading to different interpretations based on the speaker's intent and the surrounding circumstances.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. 'Must' is commonly used to express deontic modality, indicating obligations or rules, such as in laws and regulations.
2. 'Must' can also convey epistemic modality, where it denotes a strong belief or conclusion drawn from evidence, for example, 'She must be at home if the lights are on.'
3. The negative form 'must not' (or 'mustn't') expresses prohibition, indicating something that is not allowed or should not happen.
4. 'Must' often implies a sense of urgency or importance in commands and recommendations, which can create a pressure for compliance.
5. In questions, 'must' can be used to seek confirmation or clarification regarding an obligation or necessity, such as in 'Must I submit this report by Friday?'

Review Questions

• How does 'must' function differently in deontic and epistemic contexts?
  • 'Must' serves distinct roles in deontic and epistemic contexts. In deontic usage, it imposes an obligation or requirement, such as when stating rules ('You must wear a seatbelt'). In epistemic contexts, 'must' conveys certainty based on evidence or reasoning ('She must be the new manager because she's in the office'). Understanding this difference helps clarify whether 'must' communicates obligation or belief.
• Discuss how the use of 'must' in questions can influence the listener's perception of necessity.
  • 'Must' used in questions can frame the listener's understanding of what is required and their responsibilities. For example, asking 'Must I attend the meeting?' suggests an expectation of attendance while prompting the listener to evaluate their obligation. This use can heighten awareness of duties and potentially create pressure to conform to perceived requirements, influencing decision-making.
• Evaluate the implications of using 'must not' in communication regarding social norms and expectations.
  • 'Must not' serves as a powerful tool for expressing prohibitions and reinforcing social norms. By stating what individuals are expected to avoid doing ('You must not lie'), speakers establish clear boundaries that influence behavior. Analyzing these implications reveals how such prohibitive language shapes societal standards and individual accountability, as it not only reflects existing norms but actively contributes to maintaining them.

Related terms

Modality: 'Modality' refers to the linguistic expressions of possibility, necessity, or permission, often conveyed through modal verbs like 'must,' 'can,' and 'may.'

Obligation:

'Obligation' pertains to a duty or requirement to act in a certain way, often associated with moral, legal, or social expectations.

Certainty: 'Certainty' refers to the quality of being sure about something, often linked to epistemic modality where the speaker conveys a strong belief in the truth of a statement.