When do we use “have to”?

When do we use “have to”?

Asked by @ Kennedy Tobaiwa Chitsika (Community Student)

What are modal verbs

Answered by @ Elo Kasia

Elo Kasia is the English Mentor for  ” English Grammar and Speaking Academy” ,  Join now.

When do we use “have to”?

Modal Verbs – How to Use Must, Have to and Should – English Grammar Lesson

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TO BE with expressions of obligation, request and command

Question Time: When do we use “have to”?

  @ Kennedy Tobaiwa Chitsika , Thank you for your question.

  As usual, I will try to explain the difference using simple language and plenty of examples.

• it changes in 3rd person singular (have to – has to),
• uses “helping” verbs to form questions and negatives (Do I have to go?)
• and takes different forms depending on the tense (I had to leave the party)

For questions and negatives we need to use “helping verbs” depending on the tense.

• Do you have to do military service in your country?
• Did she have to tell him about our plans?
• Will they have to memorise all these rules?
• I don’t have to wear a uniform in my new workplace.
• She doesn’t have to walk, she can take a bus.

Difference between “must” and “have to”.

Must and have to are often used interchangeably and “have to” sometimes replaces “must” when we need to use a different tense. For example if you want to say “I must go” in the past tense you say “I had to go” as it is impossible to use “must” in the past with the meaning of obligation. “Have to” is also less formal.

However, there are small differences in meaning

Both “must” and “have to” can be used to express what you think is necessary, when you are giving your opinion.

• It’ a great film. You must see it. or You have to see it.

When you are not giving your personal opinion, and talking about rules and regulations use “have to”.

• In many countries, men have to do military service.
• You have to pay to park here.

Watch out! In their negative forms, mustn’t and don’t have to have completely different meanings:

Mustn’t expresses prohibition

• You mustn’t drive. You are prohibited to drive. You are not allowed to drive.

Don’t have to expresses the absence of obligation or necessity:

• You don’t have to drive. You are not obliged to drive (but you can if you want to).

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Elo Kasia

Community Mentor for ” English Grammar and Speaking Academy“.

Director at Eloquent Learning Online, educational institution based in the UK. www.eloquentlearning.com.

When do we use “have to”?