they have to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they have to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express necessity or obligation regarding an action that someone must take. Example: "They have to submit their reports by Friday to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They have to choose".

The New York Times

They have to be.

Forbes

They have to compete.

The New York Times

They have to reshoot.

The New York Times

They have to go".

The New York Times

"They have to restructure.

The New York Times

They have to hustle.

The New York Times - Arts

They have to deliver.

The New York Times

They have to receive orders.

The Economist

"Now they have to think".

The Economist

They have to come quickly.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they have to" when indicating a clear obligation or requirement that applies to a group. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though "they must" might be preferred in very formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "they have to" when referring to a singular subject. Ensure the subject is plural to maintain grammatical accuracy. For example, instead of "The employee have to finish the report," use "The employees have to finish the report" or "The employee has to finish the report."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they have to" functions as a modal construction expressing obligation or necessity. It indicates that a certain action is required or indispensable for the subject. Ludwig examples confirm its use in diverse contexts, reinforcing this primary function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they have to" is a common and grammatically correct way to express obligation or necessity. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "they must" or "they are required to" exist, "they have to" maintains a neutral register and remains versatile for different situations. Pay attention to subject-verb agreement to avoid common errors, and consider the nuance between obligation and opportunity when choosing between "they have to" and "they get to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they must

This alternative employs a stronger modal verb to indicate necessity or obligation.

they are required to

This is a more formal way of expressing that something is obligatory.

they need to

This option is a more informal way of expressing necessity.

it is essential that they

This alternative highlights the importance or necessity of their action.

they are obliged to

This phrase implies a sense of duty or legal requirement.

they are expected to

This indicates that something is anticipated or anticipated of them.

it is their duty to

This emphasizes the moral or ethical aspect of the obligation.

they are bound to

This suggests a constraint or inevitability regarding their action.

they are compelled to

This implies that they are forced or driven to do something.

they should

This is a weaker form of obligation, suggesting advisability rather than strict necessity.

FAQs

How do I use "they have to" in a sentence?

Use "they have to" to express obligation or necessity for a group of people. For example, "They have to submit their applications by the deadline."

What can I say instead of "they have to"?

You can use alternatives like "they must", "they are required to", or "they need to" depending on the level of formality.

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

No, "they has to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they have to". The verb "have" agrees with the plural pronoun "they".

What's the difference between "they have to" and "they get to"?

"They have to" implies obligation or requirement, while "they get to" implies privilege or opportunity. For example, "They have to attend the meeting" versus "They get to travel to Europe for the conference".