must

[[t]məst, STRONG mʌst[/t]]

♦

musts

(The noun is pronounced [[t]mʌ̱st[/t]].)

1) MODAL You use must to indicate that you think it is very important or necessary for something to happen. You use must not or mustn't to indicate that you think it is very important or necessary for something not to happen.

What you wear should be stylish and clean, and must definitely fit well...

You are going to have to take a certain amount of criticism, but you must cope with it...

The doctor must not allow the patient to be put at risk...

The soil must not be overwatered, especially during the first few weeks...

We must not forget your birthday.

2) MODAL You use must to indicate that it is necessary for something to happen, usually because of a rule or law.

Candidates must satisfy the general conditions for admission...

Mr Allen must pay Mr Farnham's legal costs...

Equipment must be supervised if children are in the house.

3) MODAL You use must to indicate that you are fairly sure that something is the case.

At 29 Russell must be one of the youngest ever Wembley referees...

Reggae must be the only music that's got its own country - Jamaica...

I'm sure he must feel he has lost a close family friend, because I know I do...

I must have been a bore.

4) MODAL You use must, or must have with a past participle, to indicate that you believe that something is the case, because of the available evidence.

`You must be Emma,' said the visitor...

Miss Holloway had a weak heart. She must have had a heart attack...

His only explanation was that he must have brought them home in order to continue his work...

The medical reports really must have suggested that he was really seriously hurt.

5) MODAL If you say that one thing must have happened in order for something else to happen, you mean that it is necessary for the first thing to have happened before the second thing can happen.

In order to take that job, you must have left another job...

In order to start reading this book you must have had some idea that the physical symptoms you were experiencing were due to anxiety.

6) MODAL You use must to express your intention to do something.

I must be getting back...

I must have a whiskey...

I must telephone my parents...

I must speak to Tania at once...

He told the Prime Minister that he felt he must now leave.

7) MODAL You use must to make suggestions or invitations very forcefully.

You must see a doctor, Frederick...

You must see the painting Paul has given me as a wedding present...

You must come to lunch with us...

You must visit me. Come to dinner.

8) MODAL You use must in remarks and comments where you are expressing sympathy.

This must be a very difficult job for you...

You must be very worried by now...

Now sit down and make yourself comfortable. You must be very tired.

9) MODAL (emphasis) You use must in conversation in expressions such as `I must say' and `I must admit' in order to emphasize a point that you are making.

This came as a surprise, I must say...

I must admit I like looking feminine...

They were very polite, I must confess.

10) MODAL You use must in expressions such as `it must be noted' and `it must be remembered' in order to draw the reader's or listener's attention to what you are about to say.

It must be noted, however, that not all British and American officers carried out orders...

It must be stated that this illness is one of the most complex conditions known to man.

11) MODAL (feelings) You use must in questions to express your anger or irritation about something that someone has done, usually because you do not understand their behaviour.

Why must you do everything as if you have to win?...

Why must she interrupt?...

Must you always run when the pressure gets too much?

12) MODAL (emphasis) You use must in exclamations to express surprise or shock.

`Go! Please go.' - `You must be joking!'...

I really must be quite mad!...

You must have gone out of your mind!

13) N-COUNT: usu a N in sing If you refer to something as a must, you mean that it is absolutely necessary. [INFORMAL]

The new 37th issue of National Savings Certificates is a must for any taxpayer...

A must is a visit to the fascinating and world-renowned Motor Museum.

14) PHRASE: usu PHR inf You say `if you must' when you know that you cannot stop someone doing something that you think is wrong or stupid.

If you must be in the sunlight, use the strongest filter cream you can get...

`Could I have a word?' - `Oh dear, if you must.'...

If you must have a cigarette, choose a seat in the first row of the smoking section.

15) PHRASE: PHR with cl You say `if you must know' when you tell someone something that you did not want them to know and you want to suggest that you think they were wrong to ask you about it.

`Why don't you wear your jogging shorts Mum?' - `Well, my legs are too skinny, if you must know.'...

`You told him you'd been there that night.' - `If you must know, yes.'