Fun English Game True Or False Sentences With Must, Mustn't, And Have To

October 18, 2025 by Scholario Team 73 views

Hey guys! Let's dive into a super fun and engaging English language activity that not only helps you practice grammar but also gets you thinking creatively and interacting with others. We're going to explore how to use the modal verbs "must," "mustn't," and "have to" by crafting both true and false sentences about our daily household routines. This exercise is perfect for learners of all levels, and it’s a fantastic way to solidify your understanding of these important grammatical structures. So, grab your thinking caps, and let’s get started!

Understanding "Must," "Mustn't," and "Have To"

Before we jump into creating sentences, let’s quickly recap the meanings of “must,” “mustn't,” and “have to.” These modal verbs are used to express obligation, necessity, and prohibition, but they each have slightly different nuances.

Must: This expresses a strong obligation or necessity, often coming from the speaker's authority or personal conviction. It indicates something that is essential or very important to do. For example, "I must finish this report by tomorrow" shows a personal obligation.
Mustn't: This expresses prohibition. It means something is not allowed or is against the rules. It’s a strong way of saying something is forbidden. For example, "You mustn't park here" indicates a prohibition.
Have to: This expresses an obligation that comes from an external rule or authority. It shows that something is necessary due to circumstances or regulations. For example, "We have to wear uniforms at school" illustrates an external obligation.

Now that we've refreshed our understanding, let's see how we can use these in our sentences.

Crafting Your Sentences

Okay, the main task is to write six sentences in total: three that are true about your household responsibilities or those of your family, and three that are false. These sentences should incorporate "must," "mustn't," and "have to." This is where the fun begins because you get to mix reality with a little bit of fiction!

True Sentences: Reflecting Reality

When creating your true sentences, think about the actual obligations and rules in your home. What are the things you or your family members must do, mustn't do, or have to do? Let's explore how we can use must, mustn't, and have to in some example true sentences related to household obligations.

Must: Consider responsibilities that are very important to maintain a smooth household. For instance, think about tasks that ensure the home is clean, safe, and comfortable for everyone. For example, "I must take out the trash every Tuesday night." This sentence highlights a recurring and important chore that contributes to household cleanliness. It shows a personal obligation, emphasizing the speaker's commitment to fulfilling this responsibility. Another example might be, "My dad must check the locks before going to bed," emphasizing the importance of safety and security within the home. These examples show the strength of the obligation conveyed by "must."
Mustn't: Now, think about prohibitions or rules that are strictly enforced in your home. What actions are forbidden to ensure order, respect, and harmony? For example, "We mustn't leave our shoes in the living room" showcases a rule promoting tidiness and preventing clutter. This sentence clearly states a prohibition, underscoring the importance of keeping the living space organized and clean. Another example could be, "The kids mustn't play ball inside the house," which highlights the need to protect the interior from damage. By using "mustn't," the sentences convey a firm and non-negotiable rule.
Have to: Think about obligations that arise from external factors, such as school schedules, work commitments, or shared family responsibilities. These are tasks that are necessary due to routine or external requirements. For example, "My sister has to do the dishes after dinner" illustrates a shared responsibility within the family. This sentence demonstrates that the sister's chore is a regular part of the household routine, driven by the need to maintain cleanliness after meals. Another example could be, "I have to walk the dog every morning before school," highlighting an obligation linked to the care of a pet and fitting into a daily schedule. Using "have to" shows that the obligation stems from practical necessities or external expectations.

False Sentences: Adding a Twist

Now for the fun part: creating your false sentences! This is where you can get creative and invent situations that are the opposite of your reality. This part will test your partner’s listening and deduction skills, making the game more interesting. Let’s look at how to craft these sentences using must, mustn't, and have to.

Must (False): To make a false sentence with "must," think about an obligation that you absolutely don't have or something that is contrary to your routine. The aim is to create a statement that sounds plausible but is ultimately untrue. For instance, consider a task that is someone else’s responsibility or one that simply doesn’t exist in your household. An example could be, "I must polish the silverware every day." If this is not a regular chore, or if you don’t even own silverware, it’s a perfect false sentence. This sentence implies a daily obligation that is likely untrue for many households, making it a good candidate for a false statement. Another example might be, "My dad must iron all the curtains every week," which is likely not a common task in most homes.
Mustn't (False): For a false sentence with "mustn't," think about prohibitions that aren't in place in your household. This means creating a statement that suggests something is forbidden when it's actually allowed or not a concern. The key is to choose an action that is either permissible or simply irrelevant in your home environment. For example, "We mustn't watch TV on weekends" could be a false sentence if your family freely enjoys television on Saturdays and Sundays. This statement suggests a restriction that does not exist, making it a deceptive but intriguing sentence. Another example could be, "The kids mustn't use the dishwasher," which would be false if they are, in fact, allowed or even expected to help with this chore.
Have to (False): To craft a false sentence using "have to," consider obligations that you don’t have due to your circumstances, schedule, or responsibilities. This involves identifying tasks or duties that are not part of your routine or are handled by someone else. The goal is to create a sentence that implies an external obligation that doesn't actually apply to you. For example, "My brother has to bake bread every morning" is likely false if your brother doesn't typically bake or if baking is not a daily requirement in your home. This sentence suggests a daily obligation that is unlikely in most households, making it a strong false statement. Another example could be, "I have to clean the entire house every day before school," which would be false if you have other responsibilities or if cleaning is shared among family members.

Example Sentences

To give you a clearer idea, here are some example sentences you could use or adapt:

True Sentences:

I have to do my homework every evening.
My mom must cook dinner for us.
We mustn't forget to lock the door when we leave.

False Sentences:

I must wash the car every day.
We mustn't use the microwave.
My dad has to walk the cat.

Example Dialogue

Now, let’s see how this activity might play out in a conversation. Imagine you're Student A, sharing your sentences with Student B.

Student A: Okay, here are my sentences. Number one: I have to do my homework every evening. Number two: My mom must cook dinner for us. Number three: We mustn't forget to lock the door when we leave. Number four: I must wash the car every day. Number five: We mustn't use the microwave. Number six: My dad has to walk the cat.

Student B: Hmm, this is interesting! Let me think… I think number four, “I must wash the car every day,” is false. And number six, “My dad has to walk the cat,” also sounds false. Maybe number five, “We mustn’t use the microwave,” is false too?

Student A: You’re right about number four and number six! But number five is actually true – we try to avoid using the microwave too much. Good guesses, though!

Sharing with a Partner

The next step is to grab a friend, classmate, or family member and share your sentences. Read each sentence aloud, one by one, and have your partner guess whether it’s true or false. This is a fantastic way to practice your speaking and listening skills, as well as your ability to use “must,” “mustn't,” and “have to” correctly in context.

Tips for a Successful Game

Speak Clearly: Make sure to pronounce each word clearly so your partner can understand you easily.
Vary Your Tone: Try to read your sentences in a natural tone, without giving away whether they’re true or false.
Listen Carefully: Pay close attention to your partner’s sentences and ask clarifying questions if needed.
Have Fun: Remember, this is a game! Enjoy the process of creating and guessing sentences.

Benefits of This Activity

This exercise isn't just a fun game; it's also a highly effective learning tool. Here are some of the benefits:

Grammar Practice: You get to practice using “must,” “mustn't,” and “have to” in a meaningful context.
Vocabulary Expansion: You can expand your vocabulary related to household chores and responsibilities.
Critical Thinking: You develop your critical thinking skills by creating plausible but false sentences.
Communication Skills: You improve your speaking and listening skills by sharing your sentences and guessing with a partner.
Engaging Learning: The game format makes learning grammar more engaging and enjoyable.

Adaptations and Extensions

To make this activity even more versatile, here are a few adaptations and extensions:

Written Version: Instead of speaking, you could write your sentences down and have your partner read them and make their guesses in writing.
Group Activity: You could do this activity in a small group, with each person sharing their sentences and the group guessing together.
Theme-Based Sentences: You could choose a specific theme, such as school rules or workplace regulations, and create sentences related to that theme.
Advanced Level: For more advanced learners, you could add a layer of complexity by requiring justifications for each guess. Your partner would need to explain why they think a sentence is true or false.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! A creative, engaging, and educational way to practice using “must,” “mustn't,” and “have to.” This activity is perfect for both classroom settings and at-home learning, and it’s a fantastic way to make grammar practice fun. Remember, the key is to be creative, think critically, and most importantly, enjoy the process. Now, go ahead and give it a try – you might be surprised at how much you learn! Happy sentence-making, guys! This is a fun way to solidify your understanding of these important grammatical structures. You'll improve your grasp of English grammar while having a blast.

By incorporating these interactive elements, you'll not only reinforce your understanding of modal verbs but also sharpen your communication skills. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a partner, brainstorm some sentences, and let the language games begin! Remember, learning should be an enjoyable journey, and this activity is a step in the right direction.