Modal Verb Have to Exercises and Examples

These exercises focus on Have to

What is Have To?

The modal verb "have to" expresses obligation or necessity. It means something is required or must be done, but it’s less formal and strict than "must."

Examples:

I have to study for my test.
She has to work late tonight.
We don’t have to go if we don’t want to.

Rules for Using Have To

Structure of "Have To"

The structure of "have to" depends on the subject (I, you, he, etc.) and tense (present, past, or future). Below is a table to help you:

Subject	Present Tense	Past Tense	Future Tense	Negative Form
I/You/We/They	have to	had to	will have to	don’t/didn’t have to
He/She/It	has to	had to	will have to	doesn’t/didn’t have to

Examples:

Present: I have to wake up early. She has to finish her homework.
Past: They had to cancel their plans.
Future: We will have to leave by 8 AM.
Negative: You don’t have to bring anything. He doesn’t have to work today.

Forming Questions with "Have To"

In questions, "do," "does," or "did" is used to match the tense:

Present: Do you have to go now? Does she have to attend the meeting?
Past: Did he have to pay a fine?
Future: Will we have to buy tickets in advance?

Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

Using the wrong form for the subject

Error: She have to leave early.
Correction: She has to leave early.

Forgetting "do/does/did" in questions

Error: You have to work today?
Correction: Do you have to work today?

Confusing "don’t have to" with prohibition

Error: You don’t have to smoke here.
Correction: You must not smoke here.
Tip: "Don’t have to" means it’s optional, not forbidden.

Mixing up "must" and "have to"

Error: I must to call my friend.
Correction: I have to call my friend.

When to Use Have To

Expressing obligations or necessities

"Have to" is commonly used to show that something is necessary or required.

I have to submit this assignment by tomorrow.
Drivers have to stop at red lights.

Talking about rules and laws

"Have to" is used when describing rules, policies, or legal requirements.

You have to carry your ID while traveling.
Students have to follow the dress code.

Describing everyday routines

It’s common to use "have to" to talk about daily tasks or responsibilities.

I have to pick up my kids after school.
She has to call her parents every weekend.

Making plans or talking about future obligations

Use "will have to" for things that are necessary in the future.

We will have to leave early to catch the train.
You will have to get a passport for your trip.

Everyday Examples of Have To

At work

I have to finish this report by 5 PM.
Does he have to attend the meeting?

At school

We have to study for the exam tomorrow.
They didn’t have to do homework last night.

At home

She has to clean her room before going out.
You don’t have to cook tonight—I’ll order pizza.

Traveling

Do we have to check in online?
He had to cancel his trip because of bad weather.

FAQs About "Have To"

What’s the difference between "have to" and "must"?

Both express obligation, but "have to" is more common in daily speech, while "must" is formal and used for stronger emphasis.

How do I use "have to" in the past tense?

Use "had to" for past obligations.

Example: She had to leave early yesterday.

Can "don’t have to" mean something is forbidden?

No. "Don’t have to" means something is optional. Use "must not" to indicate prohibition.

Example: You don’t have to come (optional).
Example: You must not park here (forbidden).

Can I use "have to" in the future?

Yes, use "will have to" for future obligations.

Example: They will have to arrive on time for the event.

Is "have to" used in informal speech?

Yes, it’s very common in casual conversations. In spoken English, people often say "hafta" instead of "have to."

Example: I hafta go now.

Modal Verb Have to