"Must" is a modal verb that expresses strong obligation, firm advice, prohibition in the negative, and a confident inference about what is true, and its form never changes. These 292 must example sentences are written for orders, official notices, school and sport regulations, safety instructions, recommendations, prohibitions, deductions, questions, and reported speech. You use "must" in rules, notices, and strong conclusions alongside related expressions such as "have to" and "should," and practice with example sentences improves your accuracy.
Quick Answer: Must Example Sentences
- Obligation: You must wear a helmet on the site.
- Personal necessity: I must call my mother tonight.
- Strong advice: You must try the soup here.
- Written rule: Applicants must submit the form by Friday.
- Prohibition: You mustn’t touch the wires.
- Deduction: She must be tired after the flight.
- Past deduction: They must have left already.
- Annoyance: Must you tap your pen all day?

Must Example Sentences for Everyday Use
These sentences are written for orders, personal duties, notices, recommendations, prohibitions, deductions, questions, reported speech, and passive forms.
- You must submit your timesheet before Friday noon.
- I must pick up my daughter from choir practice at five.
- Tenants must report a leaking pipe to the landlord at once.
- Pupils must line up quietly outside the classroom.
- Fielders must stand behind the white line until the bowler releases the ball.
- Welders must wear a mask whenever the torch is lit.
- Warehouse staff must scan every parcel before loading.
- Passengers must fasten their seat belts during take-off.
- You must listen to her new playlist; it is brilliant.
- You mustn’t walk on the freshly painted floor.
- I mustn’t forget my sister’s birthday on Sunday.
- Kofi must be at the gym; his bag is gone from the hallway.
- The neighbours must have gone away; their curtains have been closed all week.
- Must I bring my own towel to the pool?
- Must you hum while I am trying to read?
- The coach said every player must wear the team jacket.
- Dangerous goods must be declared at the check-in desk.
- I must say, your presentation impressed the whole department.
Obligation Sentences with Must
These sentences state a required action, either set by another person or felt by the speaker.
Must Sentences for Orders from the Speaker
Teachers, parents, managers, and doctors tell a listener what to do, as in finishing an essay, wearing a helmet, or taking medicine.
- You must finish the essay by Monday.
- You must wear a helmet on the site.
- You must arrive before eight o’clock.
- You must keep this password private.
- Before you use the equipment, you must ask for permission.
- You must hand in your phones at the start of the test.
- You must stay in your seat during the lesson.
- You must wash your hands before you enter the kitchen.
- According to the doctor, you must drink more water.
- You must bring a valid passport to the interview.
- You must tell me if the plan changes.
- At the top of every page, you must put your name.
- You must take the medicine twice a day.
- You must park in the marked spaces only.
- You must respect the opinions of everyone in the group.
- Before you leave, you must sign the form.
Must Sentences for Personal Duties
The speaker states a duty felt personally, such as calling a mother, renewing a passport, or visiting the dentist.
- I must call my mother tonight.
- I must finish this report before the meeting.
- We must leave now if we want to catch the train.
- I must remember to buy milk on the way home.
- I must get more sleep this week.
- We must talk to the landlord about the heating.
- I must renew my passport before the trip.
- I must apologise to him for what I said.
- I must write down the address before I forget it.
- We must be careful with the budget this year.
- I must visit the dentist soon.
- We must reply to the invitation by Friday.
- I must start saving money for the holiday.
- We must take responsibility for the mistake.
- I must study harder for the next exam.
- We must find a solution before the end of the month.
Official Notice Sentences with Must
Contracts, instructions, and terms of service state what applicants, passengers, tenants, and drivers are required to do.
- Applicants must submit the form by Friday.
- Passengers must show their tickets at the gate.
- Employees must report any accident immediately.
- All visitors must sign in at the front desk.
- Drivers must stop at a red light.
- Bidders must submit a sealed offer before the closing date.
- Tenants must pay the rent on the first of the month.
- Candidates must bring two forms of identification.
- The borrower must repay the loan within twelve months.
- Contractors must follow the safety regulations at all times.
- Participants must complete the consent form before the trial.
- Guests must leave the room by eleven o’clock on the day of departure.
- Customers must keep the receipt as proof of purchase.
- Staff must wear identification badges at all times.
- Cyclists must use the lane on the left.
- Subscribers must give thirty days’ notice before they cancel.
School Policy Sentences with Must
Pupils hear and read requirements such as wearing the uniform, raising a hand before speaking, and switching off phones.
- Students must arrive before the first bell.
- Pupils must wear the school uniform every day.
- Students must switch off their phones during lessons.
- Everyone must raise a hand before speaking.
- Students must return library books by the due date.
- Pupils must walk, not run, in the corridors.
- Students must hand in homework on time.
- All visitors to the school must report to the office.
- Students must keep their desks clear during exams.
- Pupils must stay inside the school grounds at lunchtime.
- Students must bring a note after an absence.
- Everyone must follow the instructions in a fire drill.
Sport Regulation Sentences with Must
Players, teams, and officials follow requirements such as wearing shin guards, staying in lanes, and touching the wall with both hands.
- Players must wear shin guards during the match.
- Each team must have eleven players on the pitch.
- The ball must cross the line to count as a goal.
- Swimmers must touch the wall with both hands.
- Runners must stay in their own lanes.
- The referee must blow the whistle before the kick.
- Players must not touch the ball with their hands.
- Every player must shake hands after the game.
- The server must stand behind the baseline.
- Competitors must weigh in before the fight.
- A team must have a captain who wears an armband.
- The goalkeeper must wear a different colour from the rest of the team.
Safety Instruction Sentences with Must
Workplace notices state protective actions, such as wearing goggles, reporting a spill, and storing chemicals in labelled containers.
- Workers must wear safety goggles near the machines.
- Staff must report any spill to the supervisor.
- Visitors must wear a hard hat on the construction site.
- Emergency exits must stay clear at all times.
- Chemicals must be stored in labelled containers.
- Employees must wash their hands after handling food.
- Fire doors must remain closed.
- Ladders must be checked before each use.
- Electrical equipment must be switched off after use.
- Drivers must take a break every four hours.
- Heavy loads must be lifted by two people.
- Accidents must be recorded in the logbook.
Workplace Duty Sentences with Must
Workplace sentences state duties such as recording a dose, counting a till, and filing a report.
- Nurses must record every dose in the patient’s chart.
- Cashiers must count the till at the end of each shift.
- Managers must approve overtime before the work begins.
- New employees must complete the induction on their first day.
- The receptionist must greet every visitor politely.
- Engineers must test the system before each release.
- Accountants must file the quarterly report by the thirtieth.
- Interns must ask a supervisor before they contact a client.
- Cleaners must lock the storeroom when they leave.
- Bakers must start the ovens at four in the morning.
- Sales staff must update the customer database after each call.
- Every supervisor must hold a team meeting on Monday mornings.
- Delivery drivers must log their mileage each week.
- Our team must deliver the prototype before the board meeting.
Travel Regulation Sentences with Must
Airports, stations, ferries, and borders require actions such as showing a passport, scanning a bag, and declaring cash.
- Travellers must show a valid passport at border control.
- Passengers must arrive at the gate thirty minutes before departure.
- Visitors from outside the region must apply for a visa in advance.
- All bags must pass through the security scanner.
- Liquids in hand luggage must be in containers of 100 millilitres or less.
- Drivers must carry a licence and proof of insurance.
- Ferry passengers must stay behind the yellow line while the ramp is lowered.
- Tourists must remove their shoes before entering the temple.
- Hotel guests must return the room key at checkout.
- Rental customers must refuel the car before they return it.
- Train passengers must validate their tickets before boarding.
- Anyone carrying more than ten thousand euros in cash must declare it at customs.
- Pets must travel in a carrier on all long-distance buses.
- Hikers must register at the ranger station before they start the trail.
Strong Recommendation Sentences with Must
The speaker urges a friend to enjoy something, such as a soup, a film, an album, or a trip to Prague.
- You must try the soup here.
- Whatever you do, you must see this film before it leaves the cinema.
- You must visit the old town when you are in Prague.
- You must read her latest novel.
- You must taste the cake my aunt made.
- You must meet my sister. You have a lot in common.
- You must listen to this album from start to finish.
- You must come to dinner on Saturday.
- If you have time, you must see the sunrise from the top of the hill.
- You must stay at the hotel by the lake.
- Next time you see Maria, you must ask her about her trip to Japan.
- You must download this app before your holiday.
- You must watch the first episode, even if you do not like the genre.
- At the market, you must try the local bread.
- Once in your life, you must hear her sing live.
- You must walk along the harbour at sunset.
Prohibition Sentences with Mustn’t
These sentences state that an action is forbidden, whether in a public warning or in a private reminder.
Mustn’t Sentences for Bans and Warnings
Signs and speakers forbid actions such as touching wires, smoking indoors, and feeding animals.
- You mustn’t touch the wires.
- Visitors mustn’t enter the laboratory without a coat.
- You mustn’t smoke inside the building.
- Candidates mustn’t use their phones during the exam.
- You mustn’t leave the children alone near the water.
- Visitors mustn’t feed the animals.
- You mustn’t park in front of the fire exit.
- You mustn’t open the box until the countdown ends.
- Drivers mustn’t use handheld devices.
- Students mustn’t copy from one another.
- You mustn’t touch the paintings.
- Passengers mustn’t stand near the platform edge.
- You mustn’t share your login details.
- You mustn’t skip the safety check.
- Staff mustn’t discuss client data outside the office.
- You mustn’t run near the pool.
Mustn’t Sentences for Personal Reminders
Speakers remind themselves not to forget tickets, be late, or lose their temper.
- I mustn’t forget the tickets.
- We mustn’t be late for the ceremony.
- I mustn’t eat too much before the match.
- I mustn’t miss the deadline again.
- I mustn’t lose my temper in the meeting.
- We mustn’t tell him about the surprise.
- I mustn’t stay up so late tonight.
- We mustn’t let them see us leaving.
- I mustn’t spend all my savings on one purchase.
- We mustn’t forget to switch off the oven.
- I mustn’t stop practising now.
- I mustn’t panic during the interview.
Deduction Sentences with Must
These sentences state a confident inference drawn from evidence such as a quiet house, an empty street, or a closed door.
Must Be Sentences for States and Identities
The inferences concern how someone feels or who someone is, as in tiredness after a flight or a car parked outside.
- She must be tired after the flight.
- He must be the new manager.
- That must be her car outside.
- They must be very proud of their daughter.
- You must be hungry after the long walk.
- This must be the right address.
- It must be late. The streets are empty.
- He must be joking.
- There must be a mistake in the report.
- The baby must be asleep. The house is quiet.
- You must be Anna’s brother.
- That must be the reason for the delay.
- The soup must be ready. It smells wonderful.
- They must be at home. The lights are on.
- She must be about forty, judging by her photos.
- The meeting must be over by now.
Must Sentences for Habits and Knowledge
The inferences concern what someone has learned, owns, or does regularly, such as speaking four languages or owning a boat.
- He must know the answer. He has worked here for ten years.
- She must live nearby. She walks to work.
- They must have a big garden. I can hear the dog from here.
- You must work very hard to run a business like this.
- He must earn a lot of money in that job.
- She must speak four languages. She translates for the embassy.
- The neighbours must own a boat.
- You must enjoy your work. You always look cheerful.
- He must play the piano. I hear him practise every evening.
- They must want the contract. They have called three times.
- She must read a lot. Her shelves are full.
- The students must like the new teacher.
- He must drive a long way to work. He fills the tank twice a week.
- They must own a lot of land. The fence goes on for miles.
Must Be Sentences for Actions in Progress
The inferences concern what is happening now, based on a light, a sound, or a closed door.
- She must be working late. Her office light is on.
- They must be having dinner. Nobody answers the phone.
- He must be studying. The door is closed.
- The children must be playing outside. I can hear them.
- The kettle must be boiling. I can hear it from here.
- She must be waiting for us at the station.
- It must be raining. Everyone has an umbrella.
- They must be celebrating. The music is very loud.
- He must be driving, since his phone is off.
- The workers must be repairing the road.
Past Deduction Sentences with Must Have
These sentences state a confident inference about an earlier event, such as a missed bus, a burst pipe, or overnight rain.
- They must have left already.
- She must have forgotten the meeting.
- He must have missed the bus.
- The letter must have arrived yesterday.
- You must have been very tired after the trip.
- Someone must have taken my umbrella.
- The shop must have closed early because of the holiday.
- He must have worked all night. His desk is covered with papers.
- They must have heard the news by now.
- She must have studied hard to pass that exam.
- The pipe must have burst during the night.
- I must have left my keys at the office.
- The team must have trained for months.
- It must have rained overnight. The ground is wet.
- The thieves must have entered through the back window.
- She must have been waiting for hours; her coffee is cold.
- We must have taken the wrong turn at the roundabout.
- The guests must have enjoyed the concert; they applauded for ten minutes.
Question Sentences with Must
Questions with "must" appear in formal requests for facts, in complaints, and in short answers.
Must Sentences for Formal Questions
Formal questions ask about signing a form, attending training, requesting a visa, and renewing a licence.
- Must I sign the form now?
- Must we leave before the end of the lecture?
- Must the report be ready by Friday?
- Must all employees attend the training?
- Must a visa be requested in advance?
- Why must the meeting take place on a Sunday?
- Must he answer every question?
- What must I do to renew my licence?
Must Sentences for Annoyed Questions
Complaints in question form express irritation at tapping a pen, loud music, or shoes left in the hallway.
- Must you tap your pen all day?
- Must you always interrupt?
- Must you play that music so loudly?
- Why must you leave your shoes in the hallway?
- Must he talk during the whole film?
- Why must it always rain on weekends?
- Must you make a comment about everything?
- Why must they park in front of our door?
Must Sentences for Short Answers
Short answers confirm a requirement, as in "Yes, you must" after a question about signing, waiting, or paying, and refuse a request with "No, you mustn’t."
- Must I sign now? Yes, you must.
- Must we wait? Yes, you must. The doctor is not ready yet.
- Must I come early? Yes, you must. The doors close at eight.
- Must she attend? She must, I am afraid.
- Must they pay in cash? Yes, they must. The shop does not take cards.
- Must he wear a tie? He must, I am afraid.
- Can we use the back door? No, you mustn’t. It is locked at night.
- Must I bring my own pen? Yes, you must.
- May I take photographs inside? No, you mustn’t. Flash damages the paintings.
- Shall I open the lab door? No, you mustn’t. The experiment is running.
Reported Speech Sentences with Must
Reported sentences repeat requirements stated by teachers, managers, and doctors, such as finishing an essay, wearing a coat, or resting for a week.
- The teacher said we must finish the essay by Monday.
- She told me I must wear a coat.
- The manager said all staff must attend the meeting.
- He told us we must keep the door locked.
- The doctor said I must rest for a week.
- They said we must pay before we enter.
- She said she must leave early.
- The sign says that visitors must report to reception.
- I told her she must take an umbrella.
- The captain told the team they must meet at the gate.
- My mother said I must call her when I land.
- The ranger warned us that we must stay on the marked path.
Passive Sentences with Must
These sentences state required actions, such as signing a form, paying fees, or switching off a machine.
- The form must be signed by a parent.
- All fees must be paid by Friday.
- The documents must be translated into English.
- Seat belts must be worn at all times.
- The door must be kept closed.
- Every sentence must be checked for errors.
- The report must be submitted before noon.
- Passwords must be changed every three months.
- The machine must be switched off after use.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- The results must be recorded in the log.
- The room must be cleaned before the next class.
Opinion and Confession Sentences with Must
Phrases such as "I must say," "I must admit," and "if you must" express an opinion, a confession, or reluctant permission.
- I must say, the food was excellent.
- I must admit, I did not expect such a good result.
- I must confess that I have never read the book.
- I must point out that the deadline has passed.
- If you must leave, please use the back door.
- If you must know, I was at the doctor’s.
- If you must smoke, go outside.
- I must insist that you reconsider the offer.
- We must agree to differ on this point.
- I must thank everyone who helped.
FAQs
"You must wear a helmet on the site" is a standard example of "must" for obligation. Other models are "I must call my mother tonight" for a personal duty and "She must be tired after the flight" for deduction. A fourth model is "You mustn’t touch the wires" for a prohibition.
You use "must" in a sentence to state an obligation, give a strong recommendation, forbid an action, or draw an inference from evidence. Typical sentences are "Applicants must submit the form by Friday," "You must try the soup here," "You mustn’t touch the wires," and "He must be the new manager."
Obligation sentences with "must" state an action that the listener or the speaker is required to take. "You must finish the essay by Monday" is an order from the speaker. "I must renew my passport before the trip" is a personal duty.
Official notices state required actions for applicants, passengers, and tenants. "Passengers must show their tickets at the gate" and "Tenants must pay the rent on the first of the month" are two models. "Employees must report any accident immediately" is a third model.
School policies and sport regulations state what pupils and players are required to do. "Pupils must wear the school uniform every day" is a school sentence. "Runners must stay in their own lanes" is a sport sentence.
Recommendation sentences with "must" urge a friend to enjoy something worth experiencing. "You must try the soup here" and "You must visit the old town when you are in Prague" are two models. Both start with "You must" and name a food and a location.
Sentences with "mustn’t" state that an action is forbidden for the listener or the speaker. "You mustn’t smoke inside the building" is a typical warning. The negative form also occurs in personal reminders such as "I mustn’t forget the tickets." Visitors, drivers, and passengers are common subjects in public warnings.
Deduction sentences with "must" state a confident inference based on evidence such as a quiet house or an empty street. "The baby must be asleep" and "It must be late" are two models. "She must live nearby" draws the same kind of inference about a habit.
Past deduction sentences with "must have" state an inference about an earlier event. "They must have left already" and "The pipe must have burst during the night" are two models. In "It must have rained overnight", the evidence is wet ground.
Questions with "must" appear in formal requests for facts and in complaints. "Must I sign the form now?" is formal, and "Must you tap your pen all day?" expresses irritation. A short answer in the group is "Yes, you must."

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