English grammar
Must for rules (you must show · had to) vs must for guesses (recapped: must be, can't be)
Answer passport-control questions, and tell a rule (you must show) from a guess (she must be telling).
From the scene Purpose of your visit
In short
Must is for rules (past: had to) and for confident guesses. The negative guess is can't, not mustn't.
Your turn
Which one goes with a guess about what's happening now: must be + -ing?
Options: she must be telling him her life story · there must be a problem · you must show your return ticket · you only had to…
Show answer
a guess about what's happening now: must be + -ing → she must be telling him her life story
How it works
Must has two jobs. For a rule, you must show your return ticket; its past is had to (you only had to show your passport).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Yes. I told him: "The (blank) is a birthday: a ninetieth."
Options: accommodation · purpose · stamp
Show answer
Yes. I told him: "The purpose is a birthday: a ninetieth."
Sí. Le dije: "El motivo es un cumpleaños: noventa años".
Good to know
For a confident guess, there must be a problem; must be + -ing guesses what is happening right now (she must be telling him her life story).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
He said: "Madam, you (blank) show your return ticket." And I couldn't find it.
Clue: a rule
Options: must · must be · must to
Show answer
He said: "Madam, you must show your return ticket." And I couldn't find it.
Me dijo: "Señora, debe mostrar el tiquete de regreso". Y yo no lo encontraba.
Good to know
The negative guess is can't (he can't be more than twenty-five), because mustn't means "not allowed".
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
So? I (blank) look sixty.
Clue: a guess
Options: must · mustn't · had to
Show answer
So? I must look sixty.
¿Y? Yo debo de parecer de sesenta.
a guess about now there must be a problem
Javi
Doña Elena's been at passport control for an hour. There must be a problem.
Doña Elena lleva una hora en control de pasaportes. Debe de haber un problema.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Doña Elena's been at passport control for an hour. (blank).
Options: You must show your return ticket · you only had to · There must be a problem · She must be telling him her life story
Show answer
Javi
Doña Elena's been at passport control for an hour. There must be a problem.
Doña Elena lleva una hora en control de pasaportes. Debe de haber un problema.
a guess about what's happening now: must be + -ing she must be telling him her life story
Your turn
What goes with she must be telling him her life story?
Options: a rule (past: had to) · a guess about what's happening now: must be + -ing · a guess about now
Show answer
she must be telling him her life story → a guess about what's happening now: must be + -ing
a rule (past: had to) you must show your return ticket · you only had to…
a negative guess: can't (not mustn't) he can't be more than twenty-five
Your turn
What goes with he can't be more than twenty-five?
Options: a guess about what's happening now: must be + -ing · a negative guess: can't (not mustn't) · a guess about now
Show answer
he can't be more than twenty-five → a negative guess: can't (not mustn't)
the questions at the desk purpose of visit · length of stay · accommodation
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| a guess about now | there must be a problem |
|---|---|
| a guess about what's happening now: must be + -ing | she must be telling him her life story |
| a rule (past: had to) | you must show your return ticket · you only had to… |
| a negative guess: can't (not mustn't) | he can't be more than twenty-five |
| the questions at the desk | purpose of visit · length of stay · accommodation |
More lines from the story
- ElenaYes. I told him: "The purpose is a birthday: a ninetieth."Sí. Le dije: "El motivo es un cumpleaños: noventa años".
- ElenaHe said: "Madam, you must show your return ticket." And I couldn't find it.Me dijo: "Señora, debe mostrar el tiquete de regreso". Y yo no lo encontraba.
- ElenaSo? I must look sixty.¿Y? Yo debo de parecer de sesenta.
- ElenaLength of stay: two weeks. Accommodation: Doña Gloria's address.Estancia: dos semanas. Alojamiento: la dirección de doña Gloria.
- ElenaIt was. And in the end he stamped it ...and gave me his number.Estaba. Y al final me puso el sello ...y me dio su teléfono.