has to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express necessity or obligation. Example: "She has to finish her homework before going out with friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

MARY: He has to!

The New Yorker

Everything has to matter.

The New York Times - Magazine

Something has to.

The New York Times - Sports

"Nobody has to act".

The New Yorker

Indeed it has to.

The Economist

has to be careful".

The New York Times

He has to leave.

The New Yorker

Something has to happen.

The New Yorker

She has to rest.

The New Yorker

Something has to change".

The New York Times

He has to fight.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has to" to express a clear obligation or necessity, ensuring the subject and verb agree (e.g., "He has to go", "She has to work").

Common error

Avoid using "has to" with plural subjects or the pronoun "I", "you", "we", or "they". The correct form in these cases is "have to" (e.g., "They have to leave", not "They has to leave").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has to" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating obligation, necessity, or requirement. According to Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts to express something that is required or must happen.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has to" is a common and grammatically sound way to express necessity or obligation in the English language. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used and understood. While "must" can be a stronger alternative, "has to" is versatile and appropriate for many contexts. Pay attention to subject-verb agreement, using "has to" with singular subjects and "have to" with plural subjects. Based on the frequency of its occurrence in sources like The New York Times and BBC, you can confidently use "has to" in writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must

Indicates a stronger degree of obligation or necessity.

needs to

Implies a requirement or necessity for a specific action.

is required to

Expresses a formal or official obligation.

is obligated to

Indicates a legal or moral duty.

is compelled to

Suggests being forced or driven to do something.

ought to

Conveys a sense of moral obligation or advisability.

should

Suggests a recommendation or expectation.

is bound to

Implies a certainty or inevitability.

is going to have to

Adds a sense of future necessity.

it is essential to

Emphasizes the importance or crucial nature of the action.

FAQs

How do I use "has to" in a sentence?

"Has to" is used to express obligation or necessity, typically with a singular subject. For example: "He "has to" finish his work" or "She "has to" leave early".

What's the difference between "has to" and "have to"?

"Has to" is used with singular subjects (he, she, it), while "have to" is used with plural subjects (I, you, we, they). For example: "He "has to" go", but "They "have to" go".

Can I use "must" instead of "has to"?

Yes, "must" can often be used as a stronger alternative to "has to", expressing a greater degree of obligation. For example: "He "has to" attend the meeting" can also be expressed as "He "must" attend the meeting".

Is "has to" formal or informal?

"Has to" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, "must" might be preferred in more formal settings.