Level A2

Have to: external obligation

Have to means it's necessary because rules or other people say so: I have to go. With he, she or it: has to. Not necessary: doesn't have to. In the past: had to.

I have to go.

Look: I have to go. I need to leave, the time says so.

Forms

• She has to work. — with he, she or it: has to
• She doesn't have to work. — not necessary, not forbidden
• We had to wait. — in the past: had to

A common mistake

Wrong: She doesn't must finish it.

Right: She doesn't have to finish it.

A common mistake is does with must. We say: She doesn't have to finish it.

More examples

Do you have to go now?

In a question, do comes first: Do you have to go now?

He had to work yesterday.

And about yesterday, had: He had to work yesterday.