having to make

USAGE SUMMARY

"having to make" is a perfectly valid and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it any time you want to indicate that someone is obligated to do something. For example: "The leader had to make some difficult decisions in light of the new regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

[Had to?] 3. "Poundcake".

Vice

I have to have 500 belts.

The New York Times

"It had to be 30".

The New York Times

You have to play 162.

The New York Times - Sports

He had to play 29... Rcd8.

The New York Times

It has to have 30".

The New York Times - Food

"O.K., I have to do 60 fittings".

The New York Times

I had to go 120 percent.

The New York Times

You have to play 48 minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

Gascoigne has to pay £825 costs.

Independent

They had to promise 20 attendees.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having to make" to clearly indicate an imposed obligation or necessity. For example, "Having to make a decision quickly, she chose the safest option".

Common error

Avoid using "having to make" in overly passive constructions that obscure who is responsible for the action. Instead of "A decision was having to be made", prefer "The team was having to make a decision."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having to make" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the state or condition of being obligated or required to perform the act of making something (a decision, a choice, etc.). Ludwig's AI explains the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having to make" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase that expresses obligation or necessity. While examples of its usage are currently missing, the phrase is considered valid. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts. It is recommended to avoid overuse in passive constructions to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needing to create

Focuses on the need for creation rather than the obligation.

being obliged to produce

More formal and emphasizes the duty to produce something.

required to develop

Highlights the requirement for development, implying a process.

forced to generate

Emphasizes the compulsion to generate something, often against one's will.

compelled to form

Highlights the sense of being driven or forced to form something.

under an obligation to construct

A more formal way of expressing the duty to construct something.

duty bound to fashion

Emphasizes the moral or ethical obligation to fashion something.

having a responsibility to build

Highlights the responsibility involved in the act of building.

in a position where one must craft

Focuses on the situational necessity of crafting something.

finding it necessary to devise

Emphasizes the discovery of the necessity to devise something.

FAQs

How can I use "having to make" in a sentence?

The phrase "having to make" indicates an obligation or necessity to perform an action. For example, "Having to make a tough choice, she considered all options".

What are some alternatives to "having to make"?

You can use alternatives like "needing to create", "being obliged to produce", or "required to develop" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey. Refer to the related phrases section for more options.

Is it better to say "having to make" or "needing to make"?

Both "having to make" and "needing to create" are grammatically correct, but they carry slightly different connotations. "Having to make" implies more of an external obligation, while "needing to make" suggests an internal need or requirement.

What's the difference between "having to make" and "being forced to make"?

"Having to make" suggests a general obligation or necessity. "Being forced to make", on the other hand, indicates a stronger, often unwelcome, compulsion to perform the action.