must or had to in indirect speech?

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must or had to in indirect speech?

class centre

must or had to in indirect speech?

dear friends! in different places i see different explanations on this issue. can you give me a definite answer whether to use must or had to in indirect speech?Thank you.

24 Mar 2021

ascincoquinas

Hi there!

Take a look at this link: HAVE TO, MUST | Grammar | EnglishClub.

And in case you still have doubts best wait for native speakers.

ascincoquinas

24 Mar 2021

class centre

Sure.thanks.

24 Mar 2021

yanogator

Formally speaking, present changes to past in indirect speech. Since must doesn�t have a past tense, it changes to had to.

You must eat your spinach.

She told him that he had to eat his spinach.

In informal usage, in the US at least, we often keep the present tense, and say, "She told him that he must eat his spinach."

So, it�s a matter of how formal you want to be.

Bruce

24 Mar 2021

class centre

Thank you,Bruce, very much. This american way of using must in indirect speech both in present and past are in some

Textbooks. so it made me confused about the rule. Now I have it clear. Thanks again

Natasha

25 Mar 2021