must

Used to say that doing something is necessary or required.

• You must wear a helmet.
• We must leave before six.
• Visitors must not feed the animals.

How to use it: must + base verb (You must bring your passport.); must not + base verb (You must not park here.)

Similar words: have to, need to

Common phrases: must do something, must wear something, must not enter, must arrive

Used when facts make you believe something is almost certainly true.

• You must be hungry.
• Someone must have taken my umbrella.
• That noise must mean the train is coming.

How to use it: must + base verb (He must know the answer.); must have + past participle (She must have missed the bus.)

Common phrases: must be tired, must have left, must be true, must have happened

Something you need or that people strongly recommend.

• A warm coat is a must.
• This museum is a must for art lovers.
• Helmets are an absolute must on this trip.

How to use it: a must for someone/something (Good shoes are a must for walkers.)

Similar words: necessity, essential

Common phrases: a must, an absolute must

Fruit juice, usually from grapes, used in making wine.

• The must tastes sweet.
• Yeast was added to the must.
• These tanks hold must from freshly pressed grapes.

Common phrases: grape must, fermenting must