|
Post by Otaku on Oct 16, 2008 11:00:28 GMT 8
My JTE is teaching the must/mustn't grammar point right now and she was trying to point out in class the differences from America and Japan in terms of driving.
I'm not even going to touch on the fact that she started quizzing me on the driving side of various countries, which I scored 100% on...
Anyways, I wanna know what you all think about the following:
1. In America, you must drive on the right. 2. In America, you drive on the right.
I think the second one sounds more natural, but the textbook uses the first one.
What do you all think? Do both sentences have the same meaning or is there a slight nuance?
|
|
|
Post by gsuiris on Oct 16, 2008 12:52:59 GMT 8
I may be going at it wrong but this is the way I think of it:
In the second one it sounds like something that is a habit, something usual or common. Think about eating: "In America, you eat chicken."
But in the first one it sounds like there is a rule. If you don't drive on the right side then something bad will happen.
I know when speaking the second one sounds more natural to me as well, but the first one implies that it is nescessary.
|
|
|
Post by jed on Oct 16, 2008 14:10:24 GMT 8
yes, to my mind I agree with gsuiris.
the 2nd one is a routine/ a custom/ or the done thing (hibitual) the 1st emphases the fact that you have no choice, ie the rule, the law or morally forced to etc
|
|
|
Post by gumby on Oct 16, 2008 14:55:11 GMT 8
I had the same question asked to me. I rarely ever use 'must' in regular conversation, MUST BE, yes, but rarely must and in 'need to' or 'have to'. My gut feeling is that it is used more commonly on a list of rules or a sign. This is not based however on any grammatical book.
|
|