"Must not" is a strong way to express prohibition in English. It indicates that something is strictly forbidden or not allowed. It carries a stronger sense of "no" than "don't have to" (which just means it's not necessary).
Here's a breakdown:
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Meaning: "Must not" means something is absolutely prohibited. It implies a rule, regulation, or strong advice against doing something. It often carries a sense of potential negative consequences if the rule is broken.
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Structure: Subject + must not + base verb
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Examples:
- You must not park here. (This implies a parking regulation.)
- Students must not use their phones during class. (This is a school rule.)
- We must not forget to lock the door. (This is strong advice to avoid a negative consequence.)
- He must not drive after drinking alcohol. (This is a legal and safety issue.)
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Contraction: "Must not" is often contracted to "mustn't." For example: "You mustn't park here."
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Difference between "must not" and "do not have to": This is crucial. "Must not" expresses prohibition. "Do not have to" expresses a lack of necessity.
- You must not enter this area. (It's forbidden.)
- You do not have to enter this area. (It's optional.)
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Other ways to express prohibition (with varying degrees of strength):
- Cannot: (Often used interchangeably with "must not," but sometimes can also express inability) - "You cannot enter without permission."
- Is not allowed: - "Smoking is not allowed in this building."
- Prohibited: - "Parking is prohibited in this zone."
- Forbidden: - "This area is forbidden to the public."
- Don't: (Can sometimes imply prohibition depending on context and tone) - "Don't touch that!" (This can be a prohibition, especially if said sharply.)
"Must not" is a clear and forceful way to communicate that something is prohibited. Choose it when you want to leave no room for doubt.
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