subject + have/has + to + verbUse have with I, you, we, they and has with he, she, it.
Have To — External Obligation
A2Use have to for obligation from rules, other people, or the situation. Use don't have to for no necessity.
What you'll learn
- Choose have to for rules and outside requirements.
- Form affirmative sentences with have to and has to.
- Build negatives with don't have to and doesn't have to.
- Ask questions with Do/Does + subject + have to.
- Understand that don't have to means not necessary.
Structure
subject + do/does + not + have + to + verbAfter do or does, use have, not has. Don't have to means no necessity.
Do/Does + subject + have + to + verb + ?Questions need Do or Does at the front. After Does, keep have in the base form.
Build a sentence
Subject
Verb
Shehastowear an ID badge
She has to wear an ID badge at work.
Use has to with he, she, it.
When to use
Rules
Use have to for school, office, airport, and public rules. The rule exists before the speaker says it.
Work requirements
Use have to for duties set by a boss, company, or job. Anna has to wear a badge at work.
Situation necessity
Use have to when the situation creates the need. We have to take a taxi because the last bus is gone.
Markers
rulelawrequireddoctorschoolworkschedule
In contrast
vs semi-modal-have-got-to
Have to and have got to can both express obligation. Have to is the plain everyday form and works easily across all tenses and question patterns.
vs must-strong-obligation
Have to often points to outside rules or circumstances. Must is more direct and often sounds like the speaker is giving the rule.
Common mistakes
Wrong
Maria have to wear a uniform.
Correct
Maria has to wear a uniform.
Use has to with he, she, it and singular names.
Wrong
We have finish this form today.
Correct
We have to finish this form today.
Have needs to before the main verb in this pattern.
Wrong
He doesn't has to come early.
Correct
He doesn't have to come early.
After doesn't, use the base form have, not has.
Wrong
Does Tom has to pay now?
Correct
Does Tom have to pay now?
After Does, the next verb is always in the base form.
Wrong
Tom has to pay now?
Correct
Does Tom have to pay now?
Yes/no questions need Do or Does at the front.
Wrong
You don't have to print the ticket. = It is forbidden to print the ticket.
Correct
You don't have to print the ticket. = Printing the ticket is optional.
Don't have to means there is no need, not that the action is banned.
Common misconceptions
❝ Have to always means exactly the same thing as must. ❞
Both can express obligation, but have to is the common choice for outside rules, requirements, and situation-based necessity.
❝ Don't have to means you must not do it. ❞
Don't have to means the action is optional. For prohibition, English uses must not or can't, depending on the context.
Skills in this rule (6)
USE_FOR_RULES_AND_REQUIREMENTSw5Use have to for rules, requirements, and necessary actions from outside the speaker
Use have to when a job, schedule, law, teacher, doctor, or situation creates the obligation. The pressure comes from outside, not from a personal decision.
AFFIRMATIVE_HAVE_TOw5Build affirmative sentences with have to or has to
Use have to with I, you, we, they and has to with he, she, it. Put to before the main verb.
NEGATIVE_DONT_HAVE_TOw5Build negatives with do not have to or does not have to
Use don't have to with I, you, we, they and doesn't have to with he, she, it. The main verb stays in the base form after have to.
QUESTIONS_DO_DOES_HAVE_TOw5Ask questions with Do/Does + subject + have to
Start yes/no questions with Do or Does, then add the subject and have to. After Does, use have, not has.
DONT_HAVE_TO_MEANS_NOT_NECESSARYw4Understand that don't have to means no necessity, not prohibition
Don't have to means something is not necessary. It does not mean the action is forbidden.
PICK_EXTERNAL_CUESw3Recognize cues for external obligation
Words and phrases like rule, law, doctor, school, work, schedule, and required often point to have to. They show that the reason comes from outside.