talking next to a car

A: Why do you have to leave?

B: I don't have to, but I should. It's late.

Form

Need to and have to are not modal verbs, but they are used in a similar way. Study the following form for the past and present:

Positive Sentences

I
You
We
They

need to

have to

 

needed to

had to

go.

study.

sleep.

He
She
It

needs to

has to

 

needed to

had to

Negative Sentences

I
You
We
They

do not (don't)

did not (didn't)

need to

have to

go.

study.

sleep.

He
She
It

does not (doesn't)

did not (didn't)

Yes / No Questions

Do

Did

I
you
we
they

need to

have to

go?

study?

sleep?

Does

Did

he
she
it

Short Answers

Yes, (I / you / we / they) do / did.

Yes, (he / she / it) does / did.

No, (I / you / we / they) don't / didn't.

No, (he / she / it) doesn't / didn't.

Wh Questions

Where

When

Why

What time

...

do

did

I
you
we
they

need to

have to

go?

study?

sleep?

does

did

he
she
it

Use

Have to and need to have a similar meaning to must. They are used to describe obligations or things that are necessary to do:

tired students

I have to do my homework.

I need to do my homework.

I must do my homework.

mother in a car

Michelle has to leave soon.

Michelle needs to leave soon.

Michelle must leave soon.


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