Should or have to? Sometimes grammar rules can mislead..
a. If you like impressionist art you should visit the Musee D'Orsay in Paris.
b.If you like impressionist art you have to viist the Musee D'Orsay in Paris
The above two sentences are taken from an exercise in the book "Common Mistakes at Proficiency," from Cambridge Press. It's a question about whether the modal verb *should* or the construction *have to* should be used here.
"a," will be the correct answer according to the book. This is because *should* is used for suggesting things that are a good idea and *have to* in a positive sentence, usually means the same thing as *must* (that something is compulsory).
But here's the question:
Do any of you know how - without changing any of the words in sentence B, or the order of the words, sentence B can actually be exactly what a native speaker would say - it's possible to use sentence B to make a very strong suggestion (rather than to say that something is compulsory)... Does anybody know how a native speaker would do this?
Search from various English teachers...
Answers · 9
1
It depends on the context, Andrew. The use of "have to" could indicate something compulsary, but in the case of sentense B, it's just a strong suggestion which expresses the excitement or enthusiasm of the speaker rather than an actual requirement for someone to be an admirer of impressionist art.
1
I think it should be the 'intonation' of the voice: it should be very stressed the word 'have'.
And in writing, 'have' could be in capitals.
1
I agree with Joe. Relatedly, construction B carries a sense of hyperbole, sort of like saying “it’s to die for.” The speaker does not literally mean there is compulsion, but states it that way for emphasis. I picture excited teenagers saying “Oh my god, you have to buy the new Justin Bieber album” or something like that.
0
by extra stress on the words "you have to" but this may not always be picked up on even by native speakers. Then colloquialisms come into play and you would say "you SO have to" or you "really must" or "so need to" or "you really need to" of these "you so HAVE TO" is the one most commonly used to stress that they must go to visit.
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