Unit 33 · Modals, imperative etc.
I have to
Study
This is my medicine. I have to take it three times a day.
I have to do something = it is necessary for me to do it, I am obliged to do it
| I / we / you / they | have | to do to work to go to wear | etc. |
| he / she / it | has |
I'll be late for work tomorrow. I have to go to the dentist.
Jane starts work at 7 o'clock, so she has to get up at 6.
You have to pass a test before you can get a driving licence.
The past (yesterday / last week etc.) is had to ...
I was late for work yesterday. I had to go to the dentist.
We had to walk home last night. There were no buses.
In questions and negatives we use do/does (present) and did (past):
present
| do | I / we / you / they | have to ... ? |
| does | he / she / it |
| I / we / you / they | don't | have to ... |
| he / she / it | doesn't |
past
| did | I / we / you / they he / she / it | have to ... ? |
| I / we / you / they he / she / it | didn't have to ... |
What time do you have to go to the dentist tomorrow?
Does Jane have to work on Sundays?
Why did they have to leave the party early?
I don't have to (do something) = it is not necessary to do it:
I'm not working tomorrow, so I don't have to get up early.
Ian doesn't have to work very hard. He's got an easy job.
We didn't have to wait very long for the bus – it came in a few minutes.
must and have to
You can use must or have to when you say what you think is necessary, when you give your opinion:
It's a fantastic film. You must see it. or You have to see it.
When you are not giving your personal opinion, use have to (not must). Compare:
Jane won't be at work this afternoon. She has to go to the doctor. (this is not my personal opinion – it is a fact)
Jane isn't well. She doesn't want to go to the doctor, but I told her she must go. (this is my personal opinion)
Exercises (6)
Complete the sentences. Use have to or has to + these verbs:
- 1My eyes are not very good. I glasses.example
- 2At the end of the course all the students a test.
- 3Sarah is studying literature. She a lot of books.
- 4Albert doesn't understand much English. You very slowly to him.
- 5Kate is often away from home. She a lot in her job.
- 6In tennis you the ball over the net.
Complete the sentences. Use have to or had to + these verbs:
- 1We home last night. There were no buses.example
- 2It's late. I now. I'll see you tomorrow.
- 3I went to the supermarket after work yesterday. I some food.
- 4This train doesn't go all the way to London. You at Bristol.
- 5We did an exam yesterday. We six questions out of ten.
Complete the questions. Some are present and some are past.
- 1I have to get up early tomorrow.What time ?example
- 2George had to wait a long time.How long ?
- 3Lisa has to go somewhere.Where ?
- 4We had to pay a lot of money.How much ?
- 5I have to do some work.What exactly ?
Write sentences with don't/doesn't/didn't have to ...
- 1Why are you going out?You .example
- 2Why is Sue waiting?She .
- 3Why did you get up early?You .
- 4Why is Paul working so hard?He .
- 5Why do you want to leave now?We .
Which is correct? Sometimes must and have to are both correct. Sometimes only one is correct.
- 1It's a fantastic film. You (both are correct)example
- 2Jessica won't be at work this afternoon. She (has to go is correct)example
- 3You can't park your car here for nothing. You .
- 4I didn't have any money with me last night, so I .
- 5I eat too much chocolate. I really .
- 6Paul is in a hurry. He .
- 7What's wrong? You . I want to help you.
Write some things that you (or your friends or family) have to do or had to do.
- 1(every day)example
- 2(every day)
- 3(yesterday)
- 4(tomorrow)