Carry  +  525593 Tue, 10 Jun 08 11:27 PM I'm inquiring about a flat for rent. Which of the two questions is better to ask the landlord: Must I pay the rent on time? or Do I have to pay the rent on time? Is there any difference, if so, what? Carry Joined on Sun, Apr 13 2008 Poland New Member 03

	Mr Wordy  +  525607 Wed, 11 Jun 08 12:37 AM The only difference is that the first version (with "must") is slightly more formal. In ordinary conversation the second version would be more usual. In writing either is fine. However, I wonder if the question is actually worth asking. What do you expect the answer to be? Mr Wordy Joined on Tue, May 27 2008 Senior Member 2,359 Native British English speaker Conversations

	Philip  +  525660 Wed, 11 Jun 08 04:47 AM If I were your potential landlord, I would rather hear you ask, "Is there a penalty if the rent is paid a little late?". Philip Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005 Veteran Member 8,738 At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen

	RayH  +  525664 Wed, 11 Jun 08 04:53 AM Carry “I'm inquiring about a flat for rent. Which of the two questions is better to ask the landlord: Must I pay the rent on time? or Do I have to pay the rent on time? Is there any difference, if so, what? ” As far as meaning there's no real difference but if you ask a potential landlord either question he is probably going to avoid renting to you if he possibly can. RayH Joined on Sat, Mar 22 2008 Contributing Member 1,555 Native speaker of U. S. English. Not a grammar expert.

	CalifJim  +  525666 Wed, 11 Jun 08 04:54 AM Carry “Which of the two questions is better to ask the landlord: Must I pay the rent on time? or Do I have to pay the rent on time? Is there any difference, if so, what? ” The answer is "yes" in either case, so there's no point in asking the question!   You might ask instead: What is the grace period for paying the rent? But to get to what your question is really about, in American English Do I have to ...?  is the preferred form for asking this type of question.  Occasions on which Must I ...? is needed are rare. CJ  CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,415 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche American English