English Grammar: Have to do something
Have is one of the most common verbs used in English. A previous article explained when to use have got. Have and have got can also be used with the preposition to.
1. Use have (got) to in the affirmative/positive form to talk about an obligation, or something that is necessary to do.
Have (got) to is always followed by a verb. You can think of it as have (got) + infinitive. Have to and have got to have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably.
We have (got) to go to school tomorrow.
James cancelled our date tonight. He’s (got) to work late.
You can’t just show up at her house! You have (got) to call her first.
2. Have got to is NOT commonly used in American English in the negative form. Use don’t and doesn’t with have to.
I don’t have to be at work until 2pm tomorrow.
She doesn’t have to start her new job until May 9th.
We don’t have to go to school tomorrow! Yay!
X:
I haven’t got to be at work until 2pm tomorrow.X:
She hasn’t got to start her new job until May 9th.
3. Have got to is NOT commonly used in American English in a question. Use do/don’t and does/doesn’t in a question.
Do you have to go to school tomorrow?
Don’t you have to be home by midnight?
Does this report have to be finished today?
Doesn’t she have to work tomorrow?
X:
Have you got to go to school tomorrow?X:
What time have you got to be there?
4. In American English, have got to is ONLY used in the simple present tense.
Have to can be used in the simple past:
We had to leave before the concert was over.
She had to leave the party early because she had to be home by midnight.
He had to spend $2,000 to repair his car after the accident.
In American English, have (got) to is not used in the present continuous form.
X:
I am having (got) to …
5. You can use have (got) to to talk about the future ifyou have already made plans to do something, or if you are now obligated to do something in the future.
Even though you are talking about something happening in the future, the simple present tense is still used:
I have (got) to call my mom tomorrow.
We have (got) to go shopping for a dress before the wedding.
He has (got) to improve his grades before he can go to university.
6. You can use will/won’t have to [NOT will have got to] in the 1st conditional (future possible/real conditional). It means that you will be obligated to do something or it will be necessary to something in the future:
If I don’t go to university I will have to get a job.
When the kids grow up and move out, we‘ll have to sell the house and move into a smaller one.
Be going to can be used instead of will:
The new owners of the farm are going to have to tear down the old barn and build a new one.
If she doesn’t buy a new car, she‘s going to have to take the bus every day to work.
7. Have got to can also be used as an exclamation. Use have got to when you are certain about something (in the simple present tense):
You can’t be serious. You have got to be kidding me!
She has got to be crazy to want to bungee jump!
This has got to be your sweater! It’s definitely not mine.
8. Gotta is NOT a word!
‘Gotta’ is the sound that native English speakers make when they say ‘got to.’ It is NOT a proper English word and should NOT be used in written English!
Comments
Is it a phrasal verb?
Hi, Jemimah!
No, this isn’t a phrasal verb. It’s just verb + preposition combination.
In a phrasal verb, the preposition changes the meaning of the verb. In a verb + preposition combination, the meaning of the verb doesn’t change.
= )
Hi Melanie!
when you have a chance…
Would you mind bring to us an explanation about: having difficulty in or having difficulty with…
thank you so much
Hi, Jo!
have difficulty (in) DOING something
– ‘in’ is optional; to be honest, I wouldn’t use ‘in.’
“He has difficulty walking.”
have difficulty with something
– with must be used
“He has difficulty with his work.”
= )
Thank you!
i have a question can you please explain to me something we usually us have or has and the past participles of the verbs but with have got i am really confused?
Hi, Hanan!
‘Have’ and ‘has’ are both forms of the verb ‘have’:
I have
You have
He has
She has
It has
They have
Have + past participle = the present perfect verb tense:
/grammar-present-perfect-self-study-online-resources/
There are many uses of the verb ‘have.’ It is not only used with a past participle.
‘Have got’ is a verb combination. In this article you will learn when you can use ‘have got.’
/grammar-have-or-have-got/
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Hi , can any one tell me which sentence is more formal?
1- I have to go
2- I have got to go or I’ve got to go
thanks
Hi, Neda!
Neither sentence is really considered ‘formal,’ but “I’ve got to go” more informal than “I have to go.” “I’ve got to go” is usually spoken.
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Hi,
In British English, can we use “have got” in the past tense? For example: I had got a car.
Is it correct?
Thanks So much!
I don’t know, Silvio! I teach American English. I can sometimes explain the difference between British & American English, but I can’t tell you what is correct in British English. I’m sorry!
= )
Hi Teacher Melanie
Thanks, I love your web site, I feel pretty motivated to practice English. Your Podcasts are fantastic!
Thank you so much.
Lorena
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I have a querry about if the sentence ( I have work today) is correct in grammar or not ?
Hello!
First, a quick tip: Don’t use brackets ( ) for an example sentence! Use “quotation marks.” I have rewritten your message:
I have question! Is the grammar correct in this sentence: “I have work today.”
Your sentence is not correct. There are two other sentences, but the correct one for you depends on the meaning of “work” you want to use.
“I have to go to work today.” = I have to go to my job.
“I have work to do today.” = I have things to do today that are part of my job.
🙂
Is it proper English if the “have” is missing? Example “I got to do it”
Good question, Carrie!
No, it’s not proper English if the “have” is missing.
In fast, informal spoken English, native speakers will drop the “have.”
In written English, especially in business writing or academic essays, you have to write “have.”
Most of the time, however, “I have” is contracted to “I’ve”