they are going to have to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are going to have to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is required to do something in the future. Example: "If they want to succeed in this project, they are going to have to work together effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are going to have to comply".

The New York Times - Tech

"They are going to have to play now.

The New York Times - Sports

They are going to have to collect it.

The New Yorker

They are going to have to show me".

The New York Times - Sports

They are going to have to call the police.

The New Yorker

"They are going to have to experiment a lot more".

The New York Times - Tech

They are going to have to pay over the odds.

Independent

They are going to have to do prioritizing".

The New York Times

They are going to have to live with each other.

The New York Times

They are going to have to start bending".

The New York Times - Sports

They are going to have to pay this money back.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are going to have to" to express a future obligation or necessity, but consider more formal alternatives like "they must" in professional writing.

Common error

Avoid using "they are going to have to" excessively in formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "they must" or "it is essential that they" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are going to have to" serves as a modal construction expressing future obligation or necessity. It indicates that a particular action will be required of a group of people, as illustrated by the examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are going to have to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate a future obligation or necessity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely employed across various contexts, especially in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "they must" or "it is imperative that they" in academic or professional settings. Be mindful of overuse and ensure clarity regarding who "they" refers to. Understanding these nuances will enable more effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they will need to

This alternative is slightly more formal and direct, replacing the "going to" construction with "will".

they have to

This option is a more concise and slightly less formal way of expressing the same idea.

they must

This phrase conveys a stronger sense of obligation or requirement than the original.

they are required to

Similar to 'obligated', this emphasizes the required nature of the action, often by rule or law.

they are obligated to

This alternative highlights the binding nature of the requirement, suggesting a formal or legal obligation.

it is essential that they

Stresses the fundamental importance of the action they need to take.

it is imperative that they

This phrase stresses the urgency and importance of the required action.

they are bound to

Implies a certainty or inevitability in their need to perform the action.

it will be necessary for them to

This alternative is significantly more formal and emphasizes the necessity of the action.

they should

Expresses a recommendation or expectation, slightly weaker than a strict requirement.

FAQs

What does "they are going to have to" mean?

The phrase "they are going to have to" expresses a future necessity or obligation for a group of people. It indicates that a certain action will be required of them.

What are some alternatives to "they are going to have to"?

You can use alternatives like "they will need to", "they must", or "they have to" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "they are going to have to" formal or informal?

The phrase "they are going to have to" is generally considered to be neutral in tone. While acceptable in many contexts, more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

How can I use "they are going to have to" in a sentence?

You can use "they are going to have to" followed by a verb to indicate a future requirement. For example, "If they want to succeed, "they will need to" work harder."