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6.1. The obligation ( subjectiveness - objective meaning) The obligation of "must" means the speaker has the authority. If the subject is the second or third person, it means compulsory to them. See the following examples. (3) a. You must come by five o'clock. b. He must stop smoking. When the subject is the first person, it means compulsory to itself, that is, it implicates the subjective meaning. See the following examples. (4) a. I must stop eating snacks between meals. b. I must get my hair cut. Each of them means "I think I need it." If the interrogative sentence is used, it means the hearer has the authority since it asks the hearer's volition. (5) a. Must I come to the office by seven o'clock? b. Must you go so soon? If the negative sentence is used, it means not allowed or forbidden. (6) a. Passengers must not lean out of the window. b. You must not behave so. Now, this also means the speaker's irritation. See the following. (7) If you must smoke, use an ash-tray. (Leech : 1987) The above means "If you want to smoke anyway, do it." This is the speaker's irony.

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