21 Jul The modal verb HAVE TO
Among the most important modal verbs: can, could, should, must we also need to include have to. In all types of sentences this verb means compulsion or its lack. However, it is important to remember its synonym: must, which in the negative form has a completely different meaning, which you can read about in an earlier post (here).
The modal verb have to means a compulsion that comes from outside: from obligations based on work requirements, the law etc. It is the only modal verb that must be conjugated in the present tense.
HAVE TO – positive sentences
I have to leave now. – Muszę już wyjść. You have to start your presentation. – Musisz rozpocząć swoją prezentację. He has to fire a few workers. – On musi zwolnić kilku pracowników. She has to participate in a board meeting. – Ona musi uczestniczyć w spotkaniu członków zarządu. It has to work. – To musi działać. We have to transfer money to this company. – Musimy przelać pieniądze tej firmie. You have to tell me what’s wrong. – Musisz powiedzieć mi co jest nie tak. They have to travel on business a lot. – Oni muszą podróżować dużo biznesowo.
HAVE TO – NEGATIVE SETNECES
I don’t have to do that. You don’t have to work so hard. He doesn’t have to be in the office. She doesn’t have to cook a lot. It doesn’t have to be today. We don’t have to work full-time. You don’t have to show the IDs. They don’t have to explain that to you.
HAVE TO – QUESTIONS
Do I have to analyse the data? – Czy muszę przeanalizować te dane? Do you have to work on Christmas Eve Day? – Czy musisz pracować w Wigilię? Does he have to go to work on Monday? – Czy on musi iść do pracy w poniedziałek? Does she have to be there? – Czy ona tam musi być? Does it have to be done by the end of June? – Czy to musi być zrobione przed końcem czerwca?
HOW TO EXPRESS FUTURE AND PAST COMPULSION?
To express compulsion in the future as well as in the past, we also use the modal verb have to, but in Future Simple – will have to or Past Simple – had to.
I will have to do it. – Będę musiała to zrobić. He won’t have to fly to Finland. – On nie będzie musiał lecieć do Finlandii. Will they have to make a presentation? – Czy oni będą musieli zrobić prezentację? I had to say it. – Musiałem to powiedzieć. You didn’t have to do that. – Nie musiałeś tego robić. Did you have to have surgery? – Czy musiałeś mieć operację?