Definitions
- Used to express a strong obligation or necessity. - Used to indicate a requirement or rule that must be followed. - Used to express a firm belief or conviction about something.
- Used to give advice or make a suggestion. - Used to express an expectation or likelihood of something happening. - Used to indicate a desirable or recommended course of action.
List of Similarities
- 1Both must and should express a level of obligation or expectation.
- 2Both can be used to give advice or make a suggestion.
- 3Both are modal verbs that indicate a degree of necessity or desirability.
What is the difference?
- 1Degree of obligation: Must expresses a stronger sense of obligation or necessity than should.
- 2Certainty: Must implies a higher degree of certainty than should.
- 3Formality: Must is more formal than should.
- 4Connotation: Must can imply a negative consequence for not following the obligation, while should is more suggestive and less forceful.
- 5Usage: Must is often used in rules, regulations, and laws, while should is more commonly used in advice, suggestions, and recommendations.
๐
Remember this!
While both must and should express a level of obligation or expectation, the difference between them lies in the degree of obligation, certainty, formality, connotation, and usage. Must is stronger and more formal, implying a negative consequence for not following the obligation, while should is more suggestive and less forceful, often used in advice and recommendations.
