Yes. It does sound a little bit old-fashioned, so in most situations you can use "can't" instead.
"Can't" is supposed to mean that you are not able to do something, but people use it like "mustn't" in addition to its other meanings. Answer from kjohn3 on hinative.com
mustn't
/ˈmʌsnt/
phrase
- must not; used to indicate that something is forbidden or, in a tag question, that something is not necessary.
Quora
quora.com › Why-is-the-contraction-for-must-not-the-word-mustnt-instead-of-mustnt-When-were-contractions-like-this-created
Why is the contraction for 'must not' the word 'mustn't' instead of 'must'nt'? When were contractions like this created? - Quora
Answer (1 of 7): “Why is the contraction for "must not" the word "mustn't" instead of "must'nt"? When were contractions like this created?” Well, the omitted letter is an “o”, which lies between the “n” and the second “t”. So ...
Merriam-Webster
merriam-webster.com › dictionary › mustn't
MUSTN'T Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of MUSTN'T is must not.
Encyclopedia Britannica
britannica.com › dictionary › mustn't
Mustn't Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary
MUSTN'T meaning: used as a contraction of must not
Must, mustn't,... don't must?
I need not (needn't) go to work. EDIT TO CLARIFY: As far as I know, English doesn't have an unambiguous "don't must" idea that conveys the sense you're looking for. The closest we come is the verb "need" in terms of necessity (it's taken a turn as of late to align more with "want" in a lot of colloquial usage). Logically speaking, "I don't must go to work" = "I don't have to go to work" (whether I choose to or not is a separate issue) = "I don't need to go to work" = "I need not go to work". Any of them will get the idea across, but in terms of your pattern "need not" is the best fit, imho. More on reddit.com
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April 28, 2012Is there a contraction for must not?
Yes. It does sound a little bit old-fashioned, so in most situations you can use "can't" instead. "Can't" is supposed to mean that you are not able to do something, but people use it like "mustn't" in addition to its other meanings. More on hinative.com
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contractions - What does "Mustn't've" mean? - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange
This word is pretty confusing to me. Please explain. Does it mean must not have? ... Yes, this is a double contraction - the must is contracted with both not (giving us mustn't) and have (giving us must've). More on english.stackexchange.com
Contraction of must not | WordReference Forums
I've just realised that either I have been writing musn't for a long time instead of mustn't or I am forgetting how to spell. But for some reason mustn't doesn't look right to me. Perhaps I'm just tired after a long day trying to fix the Ubuntu wireless connection on my computer. The following... More on forum.wordreference.com
Videos
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Can you Say... These CONTRACTIONS? 👉English Pronunciation - YouTube
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Must or Mustn't | English Grammar for Beginners: Using Modal Verbs ...
04:27
Contractions | Negatives “not” | isn't, aren't, don't, doesn't ...
00:52
How to Pronounce Mustn't - YouTube
Contractions with modal verbs | Grammar lesson
Etymonline
etymonline.com › word › mustn't
Mustn't - Etymology, Origin & Meaning
by mid-18c., contraction of must not; see must (v.).
Reddit
reddit.com › r/grammar › must, mustn't,... don't must?
r/grammar on Reddit: Must, mustn't,... don't must?
April 28, 2012 -
I must go to work. (If I don't go to work, there will be a consequence)
I mustn't go to work. (If I DO go to work, there will be a consequence)
I (don't must??) go to work. (It is not the case that I must go to work)
what is the correct thing to put in place of "dont must"?
Top answer 1 of 5
12
I need not (needn't) go to work. EDIT TO CLARIFY: As far as I know, English doesn't have an unambiguous "don't must" idea that conveys the sense you're looking for. The closest we come is the verb "need" in terms of necessity (it's taken a turn as of late to align more with "want" in a lot of colloquial usage). Logically speaking, "I don't must go to work" = "I don't have to go to work" (whether I choose to or not is a separate issue) = "I don't need to go to work" = "I need not go to work". Any of them will get the idea across, but in terms of your pattern "need not" is the best fit, imho.
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'I don't have to go to work.' 'I needn't go to work.' ? Must is a modal verb like can and may. These are rather special. For instance, they don't conjugate for number (n/v He musts go to work). You can't form a negative with an auxiliary, either (n/v He doesn't can do the tango). (n/v = non-valid ie badly formed)
Gymglish
gymglish.com › homepage › online english lessons › grammar rules: learn and improve - gymglish › forming contractions (aren't, can't, i'd, you're, etc.)
Forming contractions (aren't, can't, I'd, you're, etc.): How and When to Use - Gymglish
Don't, contraction of do not · Mustn't, contraction of must not · Weren't, contraction of were not · Wouldn't, contraction of would not · Didn't, contraction of did not · The auxiliary verbs to be and will are frequently contracted: I am · I'm · You are ·
Stack Exchange
english.stackexchange.com › questions › 304178 › what-does-mustntve-mean
contractions - What does "Mustn't've" mean? - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange
February 3, 2016 - This word is pretty confusing to me. Please explain. Does it mean must not have? ... Yes, this is a double contraction - the must is contracted with both not (giving us mustn't) and have (giving us must've).
WordReference
forum.wordreference.com › english only › english only
Contraction of must not | WordReference Forums
February 6, 2011 - The OED offers some comfort: With negative particle affixed 17– musn't, 17– mustn't Brit. /ˈmʌsnt/ , U.S. /ˈməsnt/ , 18– musent , 19– mussent , 19– mustnt; Sc. 19– musnae.
Collins Dictionary
collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionary › english › mustnt
MUSTN'T definition in American English | Collins English Dictionary
Mustn't is the usual spoken form of `must not.' You may also like · English Quiz · Confusables · Language Lover's · Blog · Translate · your text · Pronunciation · Playlists · Word of the day: 'cybersecurity' English · Grammar · Collins ...
University of Sussex
sussex.ac.uk › informatics › punctuation › apostrophe › contractions
Contractions : The Apostrophe
The apostrophe is used in writing contractions — that is, shortened forms of words from which one or more letters have been omitted. In standard English, this generally happens only with a small number of conventional items, mostly involving verbs. Here are some of the commonest examples, with their uncontracted equivalents: ... Note in each case that the apostrophe appears precisely in the position of the omitted letters: we write can't, not *ca'nt, and aren't, not *are'nt.
Scribbr
scribbr.com › home › contractions (grammar) | definition & examples
Contractions (Grammar) | Definition & Examples
May 2, 2025 - Sometimes, a contraction can be a single word (e.g., “kinda”), but in most cases contractions are formed using words that often go together (e.g., “do not” becomes “don’t”). Only specific words can be contracted, like personal pronouns (e.g., “I,” “you,” “they”), auxiliary verbs (e.g., “be,” “do,” “have”), and modal verbs (e.g., “can,” “must,” “will”)
Facebook
facebook.com › groups › 517123980461587 › posts › 688155753358408
What are the different types of English contractions?
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/englishlearning › do you say 'mustn't' in conversational english?
r/EnglishLearning on Reddit: Do you say 'mustn't' in conversational English?
March 24, 2025 -
Hi, I'm learning English and I'd like to know if native speakers use 'mustn't' in conversational English.
If not, what do you say instead?
Thanks :D
Facebook
facebook.com › groups › 351569326074524 › posts › 1358849568679823
What is the contraction (short form) of must not ?____
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Cambridge Dictionary
dictionary.cambridge.org › us › grammar › british-grammar › contractions
Contractions - English Grammar Today - Cambridge Dictionary
Not: he’sn’t free. We don’t use affirmative contractions at the end of clauses:
Kathy Steinemann
kathysteinemann.com › Musings › contractions
8 Guidelines for Contractions in Writing: Tips for Writers | KathySteinemann.com: Free Resources for Writers
May 8, 2017 - Clichés and idioms often include contractions. Treat them as direct quotes. Platitudes like the following lose their appeal if converted to complete words: Don’t give up your day job. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. ... It’s a small world. It’s anyone’s call. ... Every word in documents such as wills, mortgages, and partnership agreements must be unambiguous.
WordReference
forum.wordreference.com › english only › english only
mustn't / couldn't / can't have done | WordReference Forums
September 15, 2019 - (negative; I'm sure she isn't over forty) He couldn't be at work. (negative; I don't think he's at work) It must not be right. (when you are slightly less certain. We usually don't contract "must not" in this meaning of "must".
Grammarly
grammarly.com › blog › grammar › contractions
What Are Contractions in Writing? Definition and Examples | Grammarly
August 10, 2022 - Contractions are a kind of abbreviation that combines two or more words by removing certain letters and usually adding an apostrophe. Only certain words can be contracted: typically small and common words (not, is/are), especially pronouns (I, he/she/it, they), and modal verbs (can, will, might, must, should, would, could).
San Jose State University
sjsu.edu › writingcenter › docs › handouts › Contractions.pdf pdf
Contractions [pdf]
mustn’t must not · won’t will not · shan’t shall not · wouldn’t would not · she’d she had; she would · you’d you had; you would · she’ll she will; she shall · you’ll you will; you shall · she’s she is; she has · you’re you are · shouldn’t should not · you’ve you have · that’s that is; that has · One contraction that is not on the above list is “it’s.” It is useful to note that “it’s,” a contraction, is often confused with “its,” a possessive pronoun.