What is ungrammatical about "I have to be home by 4" or "I've got to be home by 4"? Both sound perfectly OK by me, and different from "I must be home by 4."

To vary the example a little, I think if you say "I must go now" it's some sort of self-imposed obligation to go, whereas if you say "I have to go now" there is some sort of external restraint insisting you go. "I've got to go" sounds more emphatic or desperate (I imagine a four year old with crossed legs).


Bingley

Bingley