mustn’t vs. do(es)n’t have to
I love it when someone insults me. That means that I don’t have to be nice anymore.
Adoro quando qualcuno mi insulta. Significa che non devo più essere gentile.
– Billy Idol
Adoro quando qualcuno mi insulta. Significa che non devo più essere gentile.
– Billy Idol
✓ Thank goodness it’s Saturday tomorrow and I don’t have to get up early!
✗ Thank goodness it’s Saturday tomorrow and I *mustn’t* get up early!
Meno male che domani è sabato e non devo alzarmi presto!
When something is not necessary or obligatory, we can say that we don’t have to do it.
When we don’t have permission to do something or it’s important not to do something, we can say that we mustn’t do it.
Be careful not to confuse the two! (In Italian the same form is used for both meanings.)
✓ You don’t have to do it now. You can do it later.
✗ You *mustn’t* do it now. You can do it later.
Non devi farlo ora. Puoi farlo più tardì.
✓ You mustn’t smoke here. This is a no smoking area.
✗ You *don’t have to* smoke here. This is a no smoking area.
Non devi fumare qua. Questa è un’area non fumatori.
Now try the quiz below! There are TEN answers. The pass mark is 80% (8 out of 10). Click on the blue arrows to go to the next or previous question. You can check your answers immediately or when you’ve finished the quiz.