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7.1. The obligation ( objective meaning) The obligation of "have to" means objective, therefore, it is the exterior factor. See the following examples. (2) a. If they walk out, we'll have to walk tomorrow. b. He has to prepare the plan before the meeting. The next examples compare between this and "must." (3) a. I must go his office. (Because I have not finished a report yet.) b. I have to go his office. (Because of the promise to meet once a week.) Now, it is close to the modal auxiliary, but it is used as the main verb in the interrogative and negative sentence. (4) a. You don't have to call on him tomorrow. He will be out. b. Do we have to work next Sunday? The negation of "have to" means "do not need to do", but that of "must" means "be not allowed to." See the following examples. (5) a. You don't have to call on him tomorrow. b. It is not necessary for you to call on him tomorrow. (6) a. You must not call on him tomorrow. b. It is necessary for you not to call on him tomorrow. Each (a) is changed into (b). In view of the negative scope, "have to" denies the auxiliary verb, but "must" denies the main verb. That is to say, the objective meaning denies the auxiliary verb, but the subjective meaning denies the main verb. This relationship is also explained in 4.1 of the chapter 2. Moreover, "have got to" is especially used in spoken, but is not used for the habitualness. It is usually used for one act. This is often used in the affirmative sentence. It tends to be used in the interrogative and negative sentence in British English. (*23)
(7) a. We have got to get up early tomorrow morning. b. Have we got to get up early tomorrow morning? c. We haven't got to get up early tomorrow morning. "Do" is not used with them. (7a) and (7b) can be changed into (8) as American English. (8) a. Do we have to get up early tomorrow morning? b. We don't have to get up early tomorrow morning. |
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