Have to& Don't Have to
Obligation & no obligation
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Get talking · Section 1
5 minWarm up
Name one rule at your job or school that you think is unnecessary.
What's something you don't have to do any more that you used to?
Tell your partner three things you have to do every single day.
Grammar focus · Section 2
8–10 minHave to / must / don't have to / mustn't
Read the examples. What is the pattern? Say the rule in your own words first.
→ I have to finish this report by Friday.
→ You don't have to bring anything — we have plenty of food.
→ You mustn't use your phone during the exam.
→ She must remember to lock the door.
Reveal the rule
HAVE TO shows an obligation that comes from outside you — a law, a boss, a rule ('I have to wear a uniform at work').
More detail
MUST is similar but often personal, from the speaker ('I must call my mum'). DON'T HAVE TO means there's no obligation — it's optional ('You don't have to come, but you can'). MUSTN'T is completely different — it means it's forbidden ('You mustn't park here'). Don't confuse don't have to (choice) with mustn't (prohibition) — this is the #1 mistake at this level.
When to use
- have to — external rules, facts, other people's authority
- must — the speaker's own strong feeling of obligation
- don't have to — no obligation, it's your choice
- mustn't — prohibited, not allowed
| Form | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| have to | obligation (external) | I have to wear safety boots on site. |
| don't have to | no obligation | You don't have to book — it's free entry. |
| mustn't | prohibited | You mustn't smoke in here. |
Don't mix them up
'You don't have to smoke' = it's optional (odd meaning). 'You mustn't smoke' = it's forbidden. Very different!
Everyday use
'Have to' is far more common in speech than 'must' — natives say 'I have to go' much more than 'I must go'.
Question 1.You ____ show your ID at passport control — it's the law.
Question 2.You ____ pay extra for the wifi — it's already included.
Question 3.You ____ touch that wire — it's dangerous!
Question 4.I ____ finish this by 5pm — my boss needs it.
Question 5.You ____ bring your own laptop — the office has spares.
Question 6.Drivers ____ stop at a red light.
Vocabulary · Section 3
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
Don't just read these — say one out loud, then use it about your life.
obligation
something you must do
"It's my obligation to attend."
Name one obligation you have this week.
compulsory
required by rule or law
"Wearing a seatbelt is compulsory."
What's compulsory at your workplace?
optional
you can choose
"Dessert is optional."
Name something optional at your school.
forbidden
not allowed
"Smoking is forbidden here."
Name something forbidden in libraries.
regulation
an official rule
"New safety regulations start in June."
Describe a regulation you follow daily.
to enforce
to make sure a rule is followed
"Police enforce the speed limit."
Who enforces rules at your job?
Discuss with a partner
- →Is anything at your workplace compulsory but shouldn't be?
- →Name a regulation you think is fair — and one you think isn't.
Finish the sentence about you
- It's compulsory to… …
- Luckily, it's optional to… …
- It's strictly forbidden to… …
60-second write
In 60 seconds, list 3 obligations and 3 things that are optional in your daily life.
Pronunciation · Section 4
3–4 minWeak form of 'to' and stress in 'have to' / 'has to'
- • I have to go. → /aɪ ˈhæftə gəʊ/
- • She has to work. → /ʃi ˈhæstə wɜːk/
- • We don't have to hurry. → /wi dəʊnt ˈhæftə ˈhʌri/
- • You mustn't be late. → /ju ˈmʌsnt bi leɪt/
How to say it
In fast speech, 'have to' often sounds like 'hafta' /ˈhæftə/ and 'has to' like 'hasta' /ˈhæstə/. The 't' becomes clearer because 'have' loses its voiced sound before 'to'. Practise saying these naturally, not word by word.
Reading · Section 5
8–10 minOffice rules: old vs new
When Priya joined her new company, she got a long list of rules. Employees have to arrive by 9am and must wear ID badges at all times. However, since the office went 'flexible', staff don't have to come in every day — two days from home are allowed. Meeting rooms mustn't be booked for more than two hours, to keep them free for everyone. Priya was relieved to learn she doesn't have to wear formal clothes any more; smart-casual is fine now. Still, some rules haven't changed: nobody must eat at their desk during video calls, and everyone has to complete a security training course once a year. Priya thinks the balance is about right — enough structure, but also enough freedom.
Read once for the overall message. Decide true or false first, then answer from memory — check the text only to find the sentence that proves you right.
Q1.Staff have to wear ID badges at all times.
Q2.Meeting rooms can be booked for the whole day.
Q3.Security training is required once a year.
Answer from memory first. Type what you think, and only open the choices if you need them.
Question 1.What time do employees have to arrive?
Question 2.How many days can staff work from home?
Question 3.What is Priya relieved about?
Listening · Section 6
8–10 minFirst day induction
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Manager:Welcome! So, a few things. You have to wear your badge at all times.
Tom:No problem. Do I have to clock in with a card?
Manager:No, you don't have to — we use an app instead.
Tom:Great. Anything I mustn't do?
Manager:You mustn't park in the visitor spaces — those are reserved.
Tom:Got it. And lunch breaks?
Manager:You don't have to take exactly an hour, but you must be back by 2pm for the team call.
First listening: catch the language, not the details. Tick what you hear, then listen again for the answers.
Question 1.How does Tom clock in?
Question 2.What mustn't Tom do?
Question 3.When must Tom be back?
Exam skills · Section 7
5 minCambridge PET — Reading Part 5 (rules & notices)
Task
Read a workplace notice and choose the correct modal for each gap.
Strategy
Look for context clues: 'it's the law' or 'required' signals have to/must; 'optional' or 'if you want' signals don't have to; 'forbidden' or 'not allowed' signals mustn't. Always check whether the sentence describes an obligation, a choice, or a prohibition before choosing.
Example
'All visitors ____ sign in at reception.' (context: security rule) → 'have to'. 'You ____ bring ID if you already have a pass.' (context: optional) → 'don't have to'.
Practice · Section 8
8–10 minFill in the blank
Q1.Say a rule at your work using 'have to':
Q2.Say something optional using 'don't have to':
Q3.Say a prohibition using 'mustn't':
Question 1.You ____ smoke inside the building.
Question 2.We ____ finish the whole book — just the first chapter.
Question 3.Passengers ____ fasten their seatbelts during take-off.
Question 4.You ____ be rude to customers — it's against company policy.
Question 5.She ____ work Saturdays any more since she changed roles.
Writing · Section 9
5 minPut it in writing
Plan first: three bullet points, then study the model and notice how it links ideas. Write only after that.
Your task
Write a 100-word set of house rules for a flatmate, using have to, must, don't have to and mustn't at least once each.
Plan (3 bullets)
- 1. What is the situation?
- 2. What are your two main points?
- 3. How will you finish it?
Study the model
Welcome to the flat! A few house rules: you have to take the bins out on Tuesdays — it's your turn every other week. You mustn't leave dirty dishes overnight; the kitchen must stay clean for everyone. You don't have to cook every night, but if you do, please clean up after. Guests are fine, but you must let me know in advance if someone's staying over. You don't have to pay for shared items like toilet paper — we split that monthly. Otherwise, make yourself at home!
Speaking · Section 10
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
WORKPLACE RULES ROLEPLAY · Pairs. One student is a new employee, the other explains the office rules using have to / don't have to / mustn't. Cover at least 5 rules, then swap roles for a different workplace (school, gym, restaurant).
Useful phrases
- • You have to…
- • You don't have to…, but you can if you want.
- • You mustn't…
- • It's compulsory to…
- • It's completely optional…
Decide & report
Work through the situation and agree on one decision together. Then report your decision in 30 seconds, giving two reasons.
- ADo I have to book a table in advance?
- B_______________
- ACan I bring my dog inside?
- B_______________
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Focus heavily on the have to/mustn't confusion — it's the most common error at this level. ~30 min total
Homework · Section 11
Take-homeTake it home
Write 5 rules for your household using have to, don't have to, and mustn't.
Record yourself explaining 3 rules at your job or school.
Find a public sign in English (or translate one) and rewrite its message using a modal of obligation.
Recap · Section 12
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- have to / must = obligation (something required).
- don't have to = no obligation, it's a choice.
- mustn't = prohibited, not allowed — very different from 'don't have to'.
- have to is more common in everyday speech than must.
- 'Hafta' and 'hasta' are the natural pronunciations in fast speech.
Extra Practice
Grammar · Vocabulary · Speaking · Review
Found this lesson tricky? Practise the language from Lesson 26 again.
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