Module code: 184
Understanding ‘Have to’: Obligation and Necessity
1 Introduction
We use have to to talk about things we ‘must’ do. It shows rules and things that are necessary. It’s different from ‘must’ because we often use ‘have to‘ when the necessity originates from something external to us.
Key Terms
- have to
- need to do something because of a rule, necessity, circumstances or nature
💬 Section 1: At School
A teacher explains homework to a student
Teacher: “Good morning! You have to do exercises 1 and 2 for homework.”
Student: “Do I have to do exercise 3?”
Teacher: “No, you don’t have to do exercise 3. It’s extra practice.”
Student: “Do we have to finish it today?”
Teacher: “Yes, you have to bring it tomorrow morning.”
Student: “Do I have to write with a pen?”
Teacher: “Yes, you have to use a blue or black pen.”
Student: “Okay, I understand what I have to do.”
2 Lexical Breakdown
Present: I have to study today. She has to work.
Past: I had to go to the doctor yesterday.
Future: We will have to wake up early tomorrow.
Negative: You don’t have to come if you’re sick.
Key Terms
- has to
- need to do something (for he/she/it)
- had to
- needed to do something in the past
- will have to
- need to do something in the future
💬 Section 2: At the Doctor’s Office
A patient discusses treatment with a doctor
Doctor: “Hello. Your sister has to take these pills three times a day.”
Patient: “She had to take different medicine last month.”
Doctor: “Yes, but now she will have to try this new medicine.”
Patient: “How long will she have to take it?”
Doctor: “She has to take it for two weeks.”
Patient: “Will I have to come back next week?”
Doctor: “Yes, everyone has to have a follow-up visit.”
3 Word Family and Variants
Negative forms:
– Present: don’t have to, doesn’t have to
– Past: didn’t have to
– Future: won’t have to
Key Terms
- don’t have to
- not necessary to do something
- doesn’t have to
- not necessary to do something (for he/she/it)
- didn’t have to
- was not necessary to do something
- won’t have to
- will not be necessary to do something
💬 Section 3: Making Weekend Plans
Two friends discuss their weekend schedule
Friend 2: “Do you have to work this weekend?”
Friend 1: “No, I don’t have to work on Saturday.”
Friend 2: “Great! Tom doesn’t have to study either.”
Friend 1: “We didn’t have to go last weekend.”
Friend 2: “And we won’t have to go next weekend!”
Friend 1: “Does Mary have to join us?”
Friend 2: “No, she doesn’t have to come if she’s busy.”
📝 Key Vocabulary Recap
◆ have to→need to do something because of a rule or necessity
◆ has to→need to do something (for he/she/it)
◆ had to→needed to do something in the past
◆ will have to→need to do something in the future
◆ don’t have to→not necessary to do something
◆ doesn’t have to→not necessary to do something (for he/she/it)
◆ didn’t have to→was not necessary to do something
◆ won’t have to→will not be necessary to do something
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