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Interactive Grammar: Have to / Has to

Express obligation and necessity using 'have to' and 'has to' in affirmative, negative, and question forms.

Grammar Explanation · Authentic Examples · Practice Exercises

Lesson progressNot started

Duration

~64 min

Exercises

43

Level

Elementary

Overview

Express obligation and necessity using 'have to' and 'has to' in affirmative, negative, and question forms.

Have to / Has to

I/you/we/theyI have to finish this today.
he/she/itShe has to wear a uniform.
negativeYou don't have to come — it is optional.
questionDoes she have to attend?

Must vs. Have to

Must = speaker's strong personal obligation.
Have to = external obligation (rules, laws, others).
Don't have to = no obligation (optional).
Mustn't = forbidden. Very different from 'don't have to'!

Common Mistakes

❌ She have to finish. → ✅ She has to finish.
❌ Does she has to attend? → ✅ Does she have to attend?
❌ She don't have to wear a tie. → ✅ She doesn't have to wear a tie.

When to use

Workplace rules

Staff have to wear ID badges.

School rules

You have to submit the assignment by Friday.

Medical advice

He has to rest for a week.

Daily life

I don't have to work on Sundays.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this lesson on modals cover?

Express obligation and necessity using 'have to' and 'has to' in affirmative, negative, and question forms.

Which CEFR level is this lesson designed for?

This lesson is designed for Elementary (A2) learners and forms part of the Modals section on Grammartier.

What is the best approach for studying this grammar topic?

Start with the definition, then study the examples carefully to understand how the pattern works in context. Practise identifying the structure in authentic sentences before producing your own — this recognition-first approach builds a strong foundation for accurate, confident use.

Your Grammar Learning Path

Follow the CEFR progression for this topic cluster.

Before You Start

Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first.

Can and Cannot

Use 'can' and 'cannot' to express ability, possibility, and permission in present and future contexts.

Continue Your Grammar Journey

Ready for the next step? These lessons build on what you've learned.

Modals of Necessity

Express strong necessity and obligation with 'must', 'have to', and 'need to' — and understand the differences between them.

Modals for Obligation, Prohibition and Advice

Use 'must', 'mustn't', 'should', 'ought to', and 'had better' to express obligation, prohibition, and advice clearly in English.

B2Upper Intermediate

Modals of Deduction

Use must, can't, could, might to express certainty and deduction about events.

B2Upper Intermediate

Past Modals

Master should have, could have, might have, and would have structures.

Related Concepts

Deepen your grammar knowledge with these related A2 topics.

Can and Be Able To

Compare 'can' and 'be able to' — understand when to use each for ability in present, past, and future contexts.

Should

Use 'should' to give and ask for advice, express opinions, and describe what is expected or the right thing to do.

Making Suggestions

Use 'should', 'could', 'why don't we', 'how about', and 'let's' to make and respond to suggestions in spoken and written English.

Modal Verbs for Future Possibility

Use 'may', 'might', and 'could' to express degrees of future possibility and uncertainty in English.

Related Grammar Lessons

Can and Cannot

Use 'can' and 'cannot' to express ability, possibility, and permission in present and future contexts.

Can and Be Able To

Compare 'can' and 'be able to' — understand when to use each for ability in present, past, and future contexts.

Should

Use 'should' to give and ask for advice, express opinions, and describe what is expected or the right thing to do.

Making Suggestions

Use 'should', 'could', 'why don't we', 'how about', and 'let's' to make and respond to suggestions in spoken and written English.

Modals of Necessity

Express strong necessity and obligation with 'must', 'have to', and 'need to' — and understand the differences between them.