Practice
Must or can attend an interview?
Sign in to saveUse must when an interview is required. Use can when attending is possible, permitted, or one option among several.
Choose must for a requirement and can for possibility, permission, or an available option when talking about attending an interview.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
You must attend the interview if you want the application to continue. /juː mʌst əˈtend ðiː ˈɪntəvjuː ɪf juː wɒnt ði ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃən tə kənˈtɪnjuː/
The short answer
Say You must attend the interview when attendance is required. Say You can attend the interview when attendance is possible or allowed.
All shortlisted applicants must attend an interview before the final decision.
Why it works: Must shows that the interview is a requirement in the process.
5 more examples
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You must attend the interview if you want the application to continue.
Attendance is a condition for the application process.
Not this:You
can attendthe interview if you want the application to continue. What changes: Can makes attendance sound optional or possible, not required. -
You can attend the interview online if travel is difficult.
The sentence gives an available option.
Not this:You
must attendthe interview online if travel is difficult. What changes: Must would mean that the online format is required in that condition. -
Candidates must arrive fifteen minutes before the interview.
The instruction states a required time.
Not this:Candidates
can arrivefifteen minutes before the interview. What changes: Can only says that arriving then is possible or allowed. -
You can ask for a different interview time before Friday.
The sentence gives permission or an available action.
Not this:You
must askfor a different interview time before Friday. What changes: Must changes the request into a requirement. -
All panel members must keep the interview notes confidential.
The rule applies to every panel member.
Not this:All panel members
can keepthe interview notes confidential. What changes: Can suggests ability and does not clearly state the rule.
Read the full guide
Look for the reason behind the sentence. Is there a requirement from an employer, school, or procedure? Use must. Is the sentence offering an opportunity, giving permission, or saying that attendance is possible? Use can. The main verb stays in its base form after both modals: must attend and can attend.
Decide whether it is required
Use must when the action is necessary because of a rule, condition, or instruction. The speaker states that the person has an obligation to attend.
You must confirm your attendance by Wednesday.
The deadline makes confirmation a requirement.
Use can for an available option
Use can when the sentence gives permission or tells someone about a possible choice. It often helps a learner understand what options are open, such as an online meeting or a different time.
You can attend by video if you cannot travel to the office.
The sentence offers a possible method of attending.
Which modal fits a sentence about an optional morning appointment: must or can?
Use can if the morning appointment is available but not required.
Keep the next verb in the base form
Must and can are modal verbs. Put the base form of the main verb after them. Say must attend, can attend, must bring, and can ask. Do not put to between the modal and the main verb.
Applicants must bring a photo ID to the interview.
Bring is the base form after must.
You can ask a question at the end of the interview.
Ask is the base form after can.
Read the condition carefully
A sentence can contain an if clause that changes what is required or possible. Read the whole sentence. You may need must in one part and can in another because the two clauses describe different meanings.
You must reply today, but you can choose either interview time.
Replying is required, while choosing between the two times is an available option.
Use a clear message in interview communication
Interview messages can affect plans, travel, and preparation. Use must when you need the reader to understand a requirement. Use can when you are giving a choice or permission. A clear modal helps the reader know what action to take.
You must bring your passport, but you can leave the reference letters at home.
The first action is required. The second is permitted.
Why does the modal choice matter in an interview instruction?
It tells the reader whether an action is necessary or simply possible, so the reader can prepare correctly.
Before you go
Remember this
Use must for a requirement and can for possibility, permission, or an option. After either modal, use the base verb: must attend and can attend. Let the situation decide which meaning you need.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Must or can attend an interview?"
Should I say must attend or can attend an interview?
Use must attend when attending is a requirement, such as a condition of an application process. Use can attend when attendance is possible, allowed, or one option. The situation decides whether you need obligation or possibility.
You must attend the interview if you want the application to continue.
What does must mean in an interview instruction?
Must means that the action is required. In an interview instruction, it can tell a candidate to attend, arrive at a certain time, or bring a document. It gives a clear obligation rather than an optional suggestion.
You can attend the interview if you want the application to continue.
What does can mean when talking about an interview?
Can can show that something is possible or permitted. For example, a candidate can attend online or can ask for another time if those options are available. It does not normally mean that the action is required.
You can attend the interview online if travel is difficult.
Do I use to after must or can?
No. Use the base form of the verb after must and can. Say must attend and can attend, not must to attend or can to attend. The same pattern works with verbs such as bring, ask, and choose.
You must attend the interview online if travel is difficult.
Can must and can appear in the same sentence?
Yes, when the sentence includes both a requirement and an available option. One part can say what the person must do, while another explains what they can choose or ask for. Keep each modal close to the action it describes.
Candidates must arrive fifteen minutes before the interview.