Modal 'Have to' — Obligations at Work & School

A1 — grammar, vocabulary, listening, reading, writing

Common mistake: “She have to work on Saturday.” — Correct: “She has to work on Saturday.”

We use 'have to / has to' for obligations that come from outside (rules at work or school); with he/she/it we use 'has to'.

have to / has to
SubjectFormExample
I / You / We / Theyhave toI have to study
He / She / Ithas toShe has to work
Negativedon't / doesn't have toHe doesn't have to wait
QuestionDo / Does ... have to?Do you have to go?

Practice

  1. She ___ work on Saturday. (have to, has to, haves to)
  2. With he/she/it, we use 'has to', not 'have to'.
  3. I have to ___ for my exam tonight. (estudiar)
  4. I have to be at the office ___ nine o'clock.
  5. During the exam, students have to sit ___ their chairs and stay quiet.
  6. Find the mistake: He have to finish the report.
  7. Sofía finishes the report. — Add obligation with 'has to'.
  8. You have to study. — Turn it into a question (use 'do').
  9. Do you have to work tomorrow? (Answer: Yes, I do. / No, I don't.)

Listening

Kenji: Ben, do you have to work today?

Ben: Yes, I do. I have to finish a report before five.

Kenji: Do you have to wear a suit?

Ben: No, I don't have to. My office is relaxed.

Kenji: Lucky you! I have to study for an exam.

Ben: Then you have to be at the library early!

Reading

Ben and Kenji are both busy. Ben has to work in an office; he has to finish reports and attend meetings, but he doesn't have to wear a uniform. Kenji is a student, so he has to do homework, take notes, and follow the school rules. 'We have to work hard,' says Ben, 'but we don't have to do it alone. That's why we have friends.'

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