I have to wake up early.
- Language
- English
- Level
- A2
- Unit
- Modal verbs and imperatives
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
‘Have to’ shows that something is necessary or required. ‘Don’t have to’ shows that something is not necessary.
When to use it
Use ‘have to’ when you talk about rules, obligations, or things that are necessary. Use ‘don’t have to’ when something is not necessary or not required.
Key forms
- I have to go.
- You have to study.
- He/She/It has to work.
- We/You/They have to leave.
- I don’t have to cook.
- He/She/It doesn’t have to help.
Examples
She has to wear a uniform.
We don’t have to go to school today.
He doesn’t have to do the homework.
Tips
- Remember to use ‘has to’ with he, she, or it.
- Use ‘don’t/doesn’t have to’ for things that are not necessary, not for things that are not allowed.
- ‘Have to’ is not the same as ‘must’, but they are similar.
Exceptions and edge cases
- For questions, use: Do/Does + subject + have to...? Example: Do you have to leave?
- ‘Have to’ changes to ‘had to’ in the past.