have to

idiom

1

—used to say that something is required or necessary

You have to follow the rules.

I told him what he had to do.

We have to correct these problems soon or the project will fail.

I have to remember to stop at the store.

"Do you have to go?" "Yes, I'm afraid I really have to."

I didn't want to do it but I had to.

—also have got to

You've got to stop.

Note: There is a difference in meaning between not have to, "it is not necessary to," and must not, "is not allowed to."

2

—used to say that something is required by a rule or law

All passengers have to exit at the next stop.

All passengers have got to exit at the next stop.

3

—used to say that something is desired or should be done

You have to read this book. It's fantastic!

You have to come visit us soon.

You really have to see the doctor about that cough.

You have got to come visit us soon.

4

—used to say that something is very likely

It has to be close to noon.

She has to be the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

He has to have a lot of money to live the way he does.

There has to be some mistake.

There has got to be some mistake.

5

—used in various spoken phrases to emphasize a statement

I have to say, I was surprised to hear from him.

She's a talented actress, you have to admit.

I have to admit, I expected better results.

It has to be said that the movie was not very good.

I have to warn you, this will not be easy.

I have got to say, I was surprised to hear from him.

6

—used in questions or statements that express annoyance or anger

Do you have to be so unreasonable?

Why does it always have to rain on the weekend?

It has got to rain on the day when we planned a picnic.

Examples of have to in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

First, the Department of Defense would have to spend a bundle to make sure the jet meets security standards for a presidential aircraft. —Chris Brennan, USA Today, 16 May 2025

People would also have to verify their eligibility for the program twice a year, rather than just once. —Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025

Cain, who served as guitarist as well as MD, didn’t have to go far in his Rolodex to find a first-rank group of musicians, most of whom he’s played with for two decades or more, including keyboard player Jen Gunderman, drummer Chris Kimmerer, fiddle player Melissa Barrison and bassist Rob Cureton. —Chris Willman, Variety, 3 May 2025

Where there's a fight and who might have to pay more. —Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2025

Rhymes for have to

• amadou
• avenue
• ballyhoo
• baraboo
• barbecue
• barbeque
• bugaboo
• cabildo
• caribou
• cockatoo
• detinue
• devalue