Using “Have to” to Talk About Obligation in English
- Thomas
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
You have probably learned that “have” is used to talk about ownership. For example “I have an iPhone” or “I have a blue car.” However, when you add the preposition “to,” the meaning changes from ownership to obligation. For example:
I have to go to work at 7 a.m. tomorrow.
In this phrase, "have to" means “a requirement” or “there is no choice.” It could be rewritten as:
I am required to go to work at 7 a.m. tomorrow.
This is correct grammar, but in casual or daily speech, this is too formal. When speaking to friends or coworkers, “have to” is much more normal and expected.
Let’s talk a bit more about “have to,” when we use it, and how we use it.
The Basic Structure
When we use "have to" for obligation, we follow this structure:
subject + have / has / had + to + verb
Important note:
The verb after "to" is always in its base form (e.g. I have to go, I had to work, She has to study, They have to leave).
Present Tense:
Have to / Has to
We use "have to" (or "has to") for things that are true now or are regular facts.
Examples:
I have to wake up early on weekdays.
You have to keep your house clean.
He has to study for his exam.
She has to work on Saturday.
We have to leave soon.
They have to follow the rules.
Conjugation tips:
When conjugating your verbs, pay attention to the pronouns.
I / you / we / they → "have to"
he / she / it → "has to"
Past Tense:
Had to
We use "had to" to talk about obligation in the past. In the past tense, "had to" is conjugated the same for all pronouns.
Examples:
I had to work late yesterday.
She had to cancel her trip.
We had to wait for over an hour.
They had to take a different bus.
Future Tense:
Will have to
There is no future form of "have" by itself, so we use "will" + "have to". In the future tense, "will have to" is conjugated the same for all pronouns.
Examples:
I will have to start saving money.
You will have to practice more.
He will have to talk to his manager.
We will have to make a decision soon.
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The Negative Form:
Don’t have to / Doesn’t have to
"Don’t have to" means "it is not necessary" or "it is optional."
Examples:
I don’t have to work tomorrow.
She doesn’t have to come if she’s tired.
We don’t have to wear uniforms here.
Important note:
"You don't have to" does NOT mean the same as "you must not." Stay tuned for the next blog post to learn more about "have to" vs. "must."
Asking Questions with "have to"
To ask questions, we add "do," "does," or "did."
Examples:
Do you have to work this weekend?
Does he have to drive to work every day?
Did they have to pay extra? (Past tense)
Conjugation tips:
I / You / We / They → "do" in present tense
He / She / It → "does" in present tense
"Did" is used for all pronouns in the past tense
Tips for Remembering "have to"
"Have to" = responsibility from life, work, or rules.
Try asking yourself these questions:
Do you have a choice? If you don't have a choice, use "have to."
Does the situation feel required, forced, or necessary? If yes, use "have to."
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Mini Quiz
Choose the best answer.
Yesterday, I ___ work late.
a) have to
b) had to
c) will have to
She ___ wake up early on Mondays.
a) has to
b) have to
c) had to
We ___ bring food. It was optional.
a) don’t have to
b) must not
c) didn’t have to
___ you have to wear a uniform at your job?
a) Do
b) Does
c) Did
Next year, they ___ move to a new office.
a) had to
b) have to
c) will have to
Answers
b
a
c
a
c
