Modal verb have to (sometimes called a modal construction) is used to express an obligation or necessity (in the affirmative or interrogative form) or the absence of an obligation or necessity (in the negative form). Also verb have to can express confidence, certainty, probability.

Have to is a synonym for modal verb must , and has a connotation of being forced due to some circumstances.

For example:
This answer has to be correct.
This answer there must be, correct. ( Expresses confidence and certainty.)

They had to leave early.
Them had to leave early. ( Expresses obligation, compulsion due to circumstances.)

The soup has to be stirred continuously to prevent burning.
Occasionally soup need to stir so that it does not burn. ( Expresses necessity.)

Using the modal verb have to in the present, past and future tenses

In most cases, the use of modal verbs in the past and future tenses is different from other verbs. The table below shows use of a modal verb have to in different situations.

Remember:
Design don't have to means no need, but not prohibition, while the design must not means a categorical prohibition.

Modal verbs are verbs with which we can express an attitude towards an action (necessity, obligation, possibility or probability). Let's look at one of the modal verbs - the verb ‘ haveto’, which is used in English language to express the need to perform an action or the obligation to perform it due to any circumstances.

USE OF MODAL VERB ‘HAVETO’ AND ITS MEANINGS

It's important to say that modal verb have to can be used in any tense:

I have to work from 8 am to 5 pm.

I have to work from 8 am to 5 pm.

Yesterday I had to go to the doctor.

Yesterday I had to go to the doctor.

I"ll have to fix my car, it's broken again.

I need to fix my car, it's broken again.

I haven't had to to go to the dentist for 2 years.

I haven’t gone to the dentist for two years now (I don’t need to).

Please note that the modal verb have to forms interrogative and negative forms in the same way as ordinary verbs, using the auxiliaries do, does, did. In its negative form, the modal verb have to means NOT NEEDED.

I don't have to get up early, because I don"t work tomorrow.

I don't have to get up early, I don't work tomorrow.

The bus wasn't late, so I didn't have to wait.

The bus was not late, so I didn't have to wait (I didn't have to).

Do you have to work late every day?

Do you need to work late every day?

Did she have to wait for a long time?

Did she have to wait long?

We can use ' have got to' instead of have to, since these modal verbs are interchangeable. The main difference between 'have to' and 'have got to' is that ' have to’ is used to express a constant or habitual need, and ‘ have got to' used to express a single need:

I have to finish my work at 6 p.m.. every day.

Every day I need to finish my work at 6 pm.

I have got to finish my work at 5 o’clock tomorrow.

Tomorrow I need to finish my work at 5 o'clock.

The turn have to (as well as the verb must) in English means “to be obliged, obliged.” Often actions in it are forced, since they do not depend on the person and are caused by external reasons.

Table: Turnover have to

I won't be at work tomorrow. I have to go to the doctor. I won't be at work tomorrow. I have to go to the doctor.
Linda has to get up early. She works very hard. Linda has to get up early. She works a lot.
You have to do an exam at the end of course. You must take an exam at the end of the course.

In the past tense the construction takes the form had to:

I wasn’t at work yesterday. I had to go to the doctor. I wasn't at work yesterday. I had to go to the doctor.
We went to the store last night. We had to buy some food. We went to the store last night. We had to buy some food.

2

In interrogative and negative sentences, the do form of the verb is added to have to. The rules here are the same as in Present Simple and Past Simple.

Table: Have to and past tense

What time do you have to leave? When should you leave?
Does Jane have to work on Saturdays? Does Jane have to work on Saturdays?
How much did you have to pay for the new house? How much did you have to pay for your new home?
I’m not going anywhere tomorrow, so I don’t have to get up early. I'm not going anywhere tomorrow, so I don't have to get up early.
Ian doesn't have to meet me. I know the way. Ian shouldn't meet me. I know the way.
Dan didn't have to wait very long. The bus arrived soon. Dan didn't have to wait very long. The bus arrived soon.

3

Both forms can be used when expressing a personal opinion about what should be done:

If there is a statement of fact, and not a personal opinion, have to is used exclusively.

Jane won't be at work today. She has to go to the doctor. Jane won't be at work today. She should go to the doctor.
In many countries, men have to do military service. In many countries, men are required to serve in the military.

The modal verb have to is translated as “ forced, must" It is important that the modal verb have to in English is used only when talking about a debt caused by an external reason (if there is a compulsion to perform an action).

Let me explain with an example what debt caused by an external reason means. Take a look at two Russian sentences:

I must help your parents.
I must be at work by 10 o'clock.

In both sentences we use the same Russian verb must. But in the first sentence you say “I must...” because you feel a sense of duty (an internal need). And in the second sentence there are external circumstances that force you to arrive at work by 10 o'clock (angry boss, fines for being late, etc.).

These sentences will be translated into English differently. When you talk about an internal need, use the modal verb must (more on this later). And when we're talking about about a duty that has external reasons (I owe it because someone or something forces/forces/obliges me to perform an action), then in such cases feel free to use the modal verb have to.

Modal verb to have to. How to use it correctly?

Sentences with the verb have to are constructed according to the following scheme:

Subject + have to + any verb from the dictionary + everything else.

That is, you put the infinitive of the main verb immediately after have to and get a sentence with the meaning of obligation or need to do something. For example:

I have to work.
I have to work.

You have to drink 2 liters of water every day.
You should drink two liters of water every day.

How do have to change according to tenses and persons?

The answer to this question is very simple - just like the verb have without the particle to. In the third person singular we have the form has to, in all other cases - have to:

In the past time - had, in future - will have. Examples of sentences with the modal verb have to in different tenses:

Differences between modal verbs have to and must.

The meanings of these modal verbs are very close. Therefore, if you are just starting to learn English, then you don’t have to worry about it and always use the modal verb have to instead of must.

But there is still a subtle difference in the meanings of these verbs: must denotes a necessity or obligation caused by the personal opinion of the speaker, and have to denotes a necessity caused by external circumstances.

Interrogative and negative sentences with have to.

The modal verb have to in interrogative and negative sentences requires the presence of an auxiliary verb do. This is how it differs from other modal verbs - when constructing interrogative and negative sentences, it behaves like a regular (non-modal) verb. For example:

You have to work.
You have to work.

You don't have to work.
You don't have to work.

Do you have to work?
You have to work?

Place the to particle in the correct place.

Eat a big difference between the verb to have and the verb have to. Compare:

I have something to do today.
I have something to do today. (literally: “I have something to do today”)

I have to do something today.
I have to do something today.

In the first case, have is a regular verb, translated as have. By the way, the verb have is very common in English and can be both semantic and auxiliary.

In the second case, we have a modal verb have to, which you already know a lot about. So don't forget about the to particle - it's very important.

Your application is accepted

Our manager will contact you soon

Close

There was an error sending

Send again

The English verb system is significantly different from Russian. You can often hear: “English is so difficult! And modal verbs are something from the realm of science fiction.” In fact, there is nothing complicated about them: you need to take a close look at them.

In this article we will deal with one such verb - “have to”.

Tense forms of the verb have to

The modal verb have to can be used in the present, past and future tenses. The table shows in detail the formation of different forms of the verb.

Present Simple

Examples of using the modal verb have to in the Past Simple

Alan had to wait for a long time. Alan had to wait a long time. Our class didn't have to plant trees. Did you have to wear uniform at school? Did you have to wear uniform at school?

Examples of using the modal verb have to in the Future Simple

They will have to prepare a project. They need to prepare a project. My brother won't have to walk the dog. My brother won't need to walk the dog. Will Ann and John have to take maths exam? Will Ann and John have to take a maths exam?

Examples of using the modal verb have to to express necessity

They have to wear uniform. ( The school has such a rule) They must wear a uniform. (There is such school rule) Peter had to read two books a week. (To prepare for the exam) Peter had to read two books a week. (To prepare for the exam) I’ll have to water my mother’s flowers during two weeks. (My mother won’t be at home, so I will do it instead of her) I will have to water my mother’s flowers for two weeks. (She won't be home, and I'll do it for her)

Examples of using the modal verb have to to express confidence

It has to be Michael's car. I saw photos of his car. This is probably Michael's car. I saw photos of his car. That has to have been Sara. They said she was slim and tall. Most likely it was Sarah. They said she was slim and tall.

Negative form

Examples of using the negative form of the modal verb have to

You don't have to read that book. You don't have to read that book. John doesn't have to take chemistry exam. John didn't have to take the chemistry exam. They won't have to pay for dinner. They won't have to pay for lunch.

Important!

if a negative adverb or pronoun is used in a sentence, for example never, then the particle not is not used. With one verb there can be only one negation:

Allan never has to think about job. Alan never has to think about work.

Watch the video