Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 33 · A2

I have to ...

I have to do something means it is necessary; the past is had to. Questions and negatives use do, does and did. Don't have to means not necessary. Must gives your opinion; have to states a fact.

Start the lesson

10Steps · about 18 minutes

In this lesson

have to, has to, had toA2 screens of questions
Questions and negativesB2 screens of questions
must and have toC1 screen of questions

Point A of 3

have to, has to, had to

I have to do something means it is necessary for me to do it.
I, we, you, they have to do, work, go
he, she, it has to do, work, go

The past is had to.

  • I'll be late tomorrow. I have to go to the dentist.
  • Omar's shift starts at six, so he has to be up by five.
  • Learner drivers have to have an experienced driver in the car.
  • I missed the meeting on Monday. I had to take my cat to the vet.
  • We had to get a taxi last night. The trains had stopped.

Point A · Exercise 33.1

Complete the sentences with have to or has to + one of these verbs: do, read, speak, travel, wear.

Use these

doreadspeaktravelwear

  1. Example

    My eyes aren't very good. I have to wear glasses.

    AnswerMy eyes aren't very good. I have to wear glasses.

  2. Before they get their certificate, all the trainees an exam.

  3. Grace is studying history. She a lot of essays.

  4. My grandad is a bit deaf. You quite loudly to him.

  5. Kate is hardly ever at home. She a lot for her job.

Point A · Exercise 33.2

Complete the sentences with have to or had to + one of these verbs: answer, buy, change, go, walk.

Use these

answerbuychangegowalk

  1. Example

    We had to get a taxi last night. The trains had stopped.

    AnswerWe had to get a taxi last night. The trains had stopped.

  2. It's late. I now. See you tomorrow.

  3. I stopped at the chemist's on the way home. I some plasters.

  4. There's no direct flight to Perth. You in Dubai.

  5. We did an exam yesterday. We six questions out of ten.

Point B of 3

Questions and negatives

Use do, does (present) and did (past).

I don't have to do something means it is not necessary.

  • When do you have to hand in your essay?
  • Does Jill have to work on Sundays?
  • Why did she have to go home so suddenly?
  • 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 a cushy job.
  • We didn't have to wait long for the bus.

Point B · Exercise 33.3

Complete the questions. Some are present and some are past.

  1. Example

    I have to be at work by seven tomorrow. What time do you have to get up?

    AnswerWhat time do you have to get up?

  2. Leo had to queue for ages at the post office. How long ?

  3. Liz has to go somewhere. Where ?

  4. We had to pay for the repairs. How much ?

  5. I have to do some work. What exactly ?

Point B · Exercise 33.4

Write sentences with don't, doesn't or didn't have to ... .

  1. Example

    Why are you going out? You don't have to go out.

    AnswerWhy are you going out? You don't have to go out.

  2. Why is Ann waiting? She .

  3. Why did you set your alarm so early? You .

  4. Why is Mia revising all weekend? She .

  5. Why do you want to leave now? We .

Point C of 3

must and have to

For your own opinion of what is necessary, use must or have to.

When it is not your opinion, but a fact or a rule, use have to.

  • It's a fantastic film. You must see it.
  • It's a fantastic film. You have to see it.
  • Omar can't come to lunch today. He has to see his accountant. (a fact)
  • In the UK, drivers have to wear a seatbelt. (the law)

Point C · Exercise 33.5

Which is right? Sometimes must and have to are both right.

  1. Example

    That new café is brilliant. You (must try / have to try) it.

    both

    AnswerThat new café is brilliant. You must try it.

  2. Example

    In the UK, drivers (must wear / have to wear) a seatbelt.

    have to (or had to)

    AnswerIn the UK, drivers have to wear a seatbelt.

  3. You can't park here for free. You (must pay / have to pay).

  4. My card didn't work at the till, so I (must pay / had to pay) in cash.

  5. I spend hours on my phone every night. I really (must stop / have to stop).

  6. "Why is Paula going now?" "She (must go / has to go) home and feed the cat."

Lesson 33 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Would you like ... ? I'd like ...Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. have to, has to, had to–Not checkedB. Questions and negatives–Not checkedC. must and have to–Not checked