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Thread: no I mustn't/no I shouldn't/no, I don't have to

  1. #1
    navi tasan is offline Key Member
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    Default no I mustn't/no I shouldn't/no, I don't have to

    Are sentences "1" and "2" correct in the given contexts and with the given meanings?

    Mustn't you send your application today?

    1-No, I mustn't. I can wait another week if I want to.
    MEANING:
    1a-No, I don't have to. I can wait another week if I want to.

    ================================

    Shouldn't you send your application today?

    2-No, I shouldn't. I can wait another week if I want to.
    MEANING:
    2a-No, I don't have to. I can wait another week if I want to.

    I think "1" and "2" do not have the desired meanings.

    "1a" and "2a" both imply that I could send my application today if I wanted to. "1" and "2" don't have that implication and thus seem to some extent contradictory.



    Gratefully,
    Navi.

  2. #2
    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Default Re: no I mustn't/no I shouldn't/no, I don't have to

    I'd use needn't. Mustn't and shouldn't don't work well there IMO.
    navi tasan and bhaisahab like this.

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