You mustn't worry about redundancies

[Nonverbis]

Advanced Grammar in Use by Martin Hewings


Keys:



Why 'mustn't' is possible here is a mystery to me. 'Mustn't' means 'can't' or 'not allowed to'. Could you tell me if it is ok to say 'You mustn't worry about redundancies'?

 

[emsr2d2]

Saying "You mustn't worry about redundancies" is grammatically correct but it doesn't mean the same as "You needn't worry about redundancies".

 

[Cunning Fox]

Not a teacher nor a native speaker.

Just don't think all of the options must mean the same. "Mustn't worry", which I'd describe as a perfect set phrase, means "don't worry" or "it's wrong to worry about redundancies", whereas "you needn't worry" or "don't have to worry" mean it's not necessary to worry about them.

 

[emsr2d2]

Also, "You needn't worry ..." is advice but "You mustn't worry ..." is more like an imperative.