Travelling to New York: advice and obligations

📋 Obligation: it's necessary, it's the rule

You must wear a seat belt in a taxi.

You have to pay in dollars. · She has to get a visa.

You will have to queue at customs. · You need to book in advance.

Il faut, on doit, c'est obligatoire. must + base verbale (pas de s, pas de to : he musts, must to go). have to se conjugue : he has to, he will have to, he had to.

💡 Advice: it's a good idea

You should see Times Square at night. · You shouldn't eat in tourist traps.

You ought to try a New York bagel.

You'd better leave early. (= You had better)

Tu devrais, tu ferais mieux de… should et had better + base verbale, sans to ; ought est toujours suivi de to.

🗣️ Other ways to give advice

If I were you, I would stay in Brooklyn.

I advise you to book your hotel early.

Why don't you go to a Broadway show?

You could rent a bike in Central Park.

Si j'étais toi, je… / Je te conseille de… / Pourquoi ne pas… ? / Tu pourrais…

⛔ Prohibition: it's forbidden

You mustn't smoke in the subway.

You are not allowed to park here.

mustn't n'est pas le contraire de must : c'est une interdiction (tu ne dois pas, c'est interdit).

⚠️ Ne pas confondre avec don't have to = pas d'obligation (tu n'es pas obligé) : You don't have to book a table: just walk in.

Pièges : you should to go, you'd better to take, you ought take.