has to be

USAGE SUMMARY

'has to be' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express necessity or obligation, usually with regard to someone else. Example: The restaurant must stay open late tonight, so all of the staff have to be there by 6 PM.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

has to be careful".

The New York Times

It has to be.

The New York Times

"Someone has to be".

The New York Times

"There has to be.

The New York Times

"He has to be.

The New York Times

That has to be unethical".

The New York Times - Sports

Arguably, there has to be.

The Economist

It has to be performed.

The New York Times - Arts

Discrimination has to be proved.

The New Yorker

There has to be balance.

The New York Times

There has to be that.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has to be", ensure the context clearly establishes who or what is subject to the obligation or necessity. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid shifting verb tenses when using "has to be". Maintain a consistent tense throughout the sentence to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. For example, don't mix present and past tenses within the same clause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has to be" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing necessity, obligation, or a strong likelihood. It is used to indicate that something is required or inevitable. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples confirming its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has to be" is a versatile and commonly used modal verb phrase that expresses necessity, obligation, or strong likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across diverse contexts. It maintains a neutral register and sees frequent use in news media and formal business settings. For similar expressions, consider alternatives like "must be" or "needs to be". When using "has to be", ensure contextual clarity and tense consistency to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be

A more formal synonym indicating necessity or obligation.

needs to be

Indicates a requirement or necessity, often with a slightly softer tone.

is required to be

Formal expression emphasizing a mandatory condition or action.

is bound to be

Expresses a high degree of certainty or inevitability.

is obliged to be

Highlights a formal duty or legal requirement.

should be

Suggests a recommendation or expectation, less forceful than "has to be".

is essential to be

Emphasizes the critical importance of something.

is vital to be

Highlights the crucial nature of something for success or survival.

is imperative to be

Stresses the urgency and importance of something.

is crucial to be

Emphasizes the importance of something in achieving a specific outcome.

FAQs

What does "has to be" mean?

"Has to be" indicates a requirement, obligation, or necessity. It suggests something is essential or unavoidable.

How can I use "has to be" in a sentence?

Use "has to be" to express an obligation or necessity. For example, "The report "has to be submitted" by Friday."

What can I say instead of "has to be"?

You can use alternatives like "must be", "needs to be", or "is required to be" depending on the context.

Is "have to be" interchangeable with "has to be"?

No, "have to be" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They have to be ready"), while "has to be" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "He has to be ready").