Modal-Verbs – Past or Future Form of ‘Must’ Explained

modal-verbs

I know that modals normally don't have past form, but sometimes they have an other way or equivalent verb to cope and to express them in past tense or future tense. For example:

can becomes could in past tense and for the future we use "will be able to…".

My question now is about the modal "must", how can I apply with equivalents for the past and future?

For example:

You must listen to this recording.

Best Answer

You must listen to this recording.

For past*:

had to = must to

You had to listen to this recording.

  • N.b. There's an archaic and very rare past form of "must": mote. It's not common in usage.

For future:

will have to = must to

You will have to listen to this recording.

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