Expressing obligation using the phrases of "Has/Have + To" In English | Learn English Grammar

In English, there are quite a few constructions to express the obligation. Among them, sentences with "has/have" are more common. Interestingly, both formal and informal ways of putting them are in action. In this blog, we will introduce you to the way of phrasing obligation using has/have in both formal and informal ways. As a side note, regardless of what you hear, you better stick to one single method to accelerate your journey to being fluent.

However, please be remembered that the usage mentioned below will be unacceptable in some states.

this is a plain text image featured in a blog spot on expressing obligation in English

1. Has/Have + To

This method is both formal and usual. As a rule of thumb, better you stick to this method.

  • Positive: She has to go
  • Negative: She does not have to go
  • Positive question: Does she have to go?
  • Negative question: Doesn't she have to go

2. Has Got/ Have Got

You will be more familiar with this structure through movies. This is a bit informal but can be widely heard. But, this structure is most common with positive statements.

  • Positive: She has got to go (she's gotta go), You have got to stay (You gotta stay)
  • Negative: She has not got to go.
  • Positive question: Has she got to go?
  • Negative question: Hasn't she got to go?
"Has got to" is pronounced with /s/ in has, whereas "have got to" excludes /ve/.

3. Do+Got

Normally, this colloquial usage happens in questions. Here, "got" is just like "have". That is why it is justified to coin it with "do."
  • What do we got to do now? (what do we have to do now?)
  • Does she got to leave early
  • What do we got going on here?
  • You don't gotta do it

4. Gotta+ Not

We already discussed that "gotta" is the contraction of "has/have got+to." However, we need to untangle the contraction if we need to form a negative sentence! But, if we still want to retain "gotta" as such while forming a negative statement, we can use "gotta+not."
  • You gotta not stay out late. (You have not got to stay out late)



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