has to give

USAGE SUMMARY

"has to give" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to express an obligation or requirement for someone to give something. Example: The company has to give a presentation to its shareholders next week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Leadership has to give examples.

The New York Times

Something has to give there.

The New York Times

"Someone has to give ground".

The New York Times

"Everybody has to give something.

The New York Times

Soon, something has to give.

Independent

At some point, something has to give".

The New York Times

Something has to give, and does.

The New York Times

Something has to give, but what?

The New Yorker

As a society, something has to give".

The New York Times

"Something has to give," Mr. Baucus said.

The New York Times

"Something has to give," Dubinsky said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has to give" to indicate an unavoidable action or outcome, especially when discussing compromises or necessities. For example, "In any negotiation, someone "has to give" a little."

Common error

Avoid using "has to give" when describing optional or voluntary actions. This phrase implies a lack of choice, so ensure the context reflects that necessity. Don't say "He "has to give" a speech," unless he is obligated to do so.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has to give" functions as a modal verb construction expressing obligation or inevitability. Ludwig shows its usage in contexts where someone is compelled to provide something or a situation requires an eventual compromise. As supported by Ludwig AI, it is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has to give" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression indicating obligation or inevitability. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and useful. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, conveying a sense of necessity or compromise. When writing, ensure that you are using "has to give" in situations where there is a genuine lack of choice and remember that alternative phrases such as "must yield" or "needs to concede" might better suit specific nuances. The phrase holds a neutral register, making it appropriate across various communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must yield

Replaces "has to give" with a stronger sense of obligation or inevitability.

needs to concede

Emphasizes the act of reluctantly giving way or admitting defeat.

is obligated to provide

Focuses on the compulsory nature of providing something.

is required to offer

Highlights the mandatory aspect of offering or presenting something.

must relinquish

Implies a forced or necessary abandonment of something.

will have to surrender

Suggests an eventual and often unwilling act of yielding.

will be forced to concede

Highlights the lack of choice in making a concession.

will inevitably give way

Emphasizes the unavoidable nature of something collapsing or yielding.

is bound to break

Suggests an impending failure or collapse due to excessive strain.

something's got to budge

Expresses the need for a change or compromise in a rigid situation.

FAQs

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

Use "has to give" to express an obligation or an inevitable compromise. For example, "The company "has to give" a presentation" or "Something "has to give" in this situation".

What phrases are similar to "has to give"?

Alternatives include "must yield", "needs to concede", or "is required to offer", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "have to give" instead of "has to give"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "have to give" with plural subjects (e.g., "They have to give") and "has to give" with singular subjects (e.g., "He has to give").

What does "something has to give" mean?

The idiom "something has to give" implies that a situation is unsustainable and that a change or compromise is inevitable. It suggests that a breaking point will be reached unless someone or something yields.