A. I have to do something = it is necessary for me to do it, I am obliged to do it
This is my medicine. I have to take it four times a day.
| 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.
Jill 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.
B. 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.
C. In questions and negatives we use do/does (present) and did (past):
| present |
do I/we/you/they have to … ? |
don’t I/we/you/they have to … |
|
does he/she/it have to … ? |
doesn’t he/she/it have to … |
| past |
did I/we/you/they have to … ? |
didn’t I/we/you/they have to … |
What time do you have to go to the dentist tomorrow?
Does Jill have to work on Sundays?
Why did they have to leave the party early?
D. 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.
E. must and have to
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):
Jill won’t be at work this afternoon. She has to go to the doctor. (this is not my personal opinion – it is a fact)
In many countries, men have to do military service. (this is not my opinion – it is the law in those countries)
must / mustn’t / needn’t → UNIT 32
Examples
I have to take it four times a day.
I have to go to the dentist.
She has to get up at 6.
You have to pass a test.
I had to go to the dentist.
We had to walk home last night.
Do you have to go to the dentist tomorrow?
I don’t have to get up early.
Ian doesn’t have to work very hard.
We didn’t have to wait very long.
Exercises 34.1 – 34.6
0/6
34.3 Complete the questions. Some are present and some are past.
Unit 34: I have to … • Full Interactive Textbook