Grammar Section

English Departments Blog IES CARLOS CANO

HAVE TO
We use 'have to' to express a strong obligation. When we use 'have to' this usually means that some external circumstance makes the obligation necessary.

I have to arrive at work at 9 sharp. My boss is very strict. We have to give him our answer today or lose out on the contract. You have to pass your exams or the university will not accept you. I have to send a report to Head Office every week.

PRESENT SIMPLE
AFFIRMATIVE I have to study You have to study She has to study He has to study It has to study We have to study You have to study They have to study NEGATIVE I dont have to study You dont have to study She doesnt have to study He doesnt have to study It doesnt have to study We dont have to study You dont have to study They dont have to study INTERROGATIVE Do I have to study? Do you have to study? Does she have to study? Does he have to study? Does it have to study? Do we have to study? Do you have to study? Do they have to study?

SHORT ANSWERS:
Yes, I do. / No, I dont. Yes, he does. / No, he doesnt.

PAST SIMPLE
AFFIRMATIVE I had to study You had to study She had to study He had to study It had to study We had to study You had to study They had to study NEGATIVE I didnt have to study You didnt have to study She didnt have to study He didnt have to study It didnt have to study We didnt have to study You didnt have to study They didnt have to study INTERROGATIVE Did I have to study? Did you have to study? Did she have to study? Did he have to study? Did it have to study? Did we have to study? Did you have to study? Did they have to study?

SHORT ANSWERS:
Yes, I did. / No, I didnt. Yes, he did. / No, he didnt.