A visual guide illustrating the use of "has to," "have to," and "had to" in English sentences, aimed at helping ESL learners understand expressions of necessity.

Navigating Necessity: Understanding "Has to," "Have to," and "Had to" in English

 

Grasping the concept of necessity in English is crucial for effective communication. In this lesson, we will explore the use of "has to," "have to," and "had to," three phrases that are pivotal in expressing obligations, requirements, or the need to perform an action. By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to distinguish between these expressions and use them accurately in various contexts.

Useful Vocabulary for Expressing Necessity

Has to

  1. He has to go.

    • Meaning: It is necessary for him to go.
    • Example: "Due to the meeting, he has to go now."
  2. She has to eat.

    • Meaning: It is necessary for her to eat.
    • Example: "She hasn't eaten all day; she has to eat something."
  3. He has to come.

    • Meaning: It is necessary for him to come.
    • Example: "He has to come to the doctor's appointment with me."
  4. She has to study.

    • Meaning: It is necessary for her to study.
    • Example: "She has to study tonight for her exam tomorrow."
  5. She has to listen.

    • Meaning: It is necessary for her to listen.
    • Example: "She has to listen to the instructions carefully."

Have to

  1. I have to eat.

    • Meaning: It is necessary for me to eat.
    • Example: "I have to eat something before I leave."
  2. I have to sing.

    • Meaning: It is necessary for me to sing.
    • Example: "I have to sing at the choir rehearsal tonight."
  3. I have to go.

    • Meaning: It is necessary for me to go.
    • Example: "I have to go to work early tomorrow."
  4. We have to eat.

    • Meaning: It is necessary for us to eat.
    • Example: "We have to eat dinner before 8 PM."
  5. We have to play.

    • Meaning: It is necessary for us to play.
    • Example: "We have to play this game to understand the rules."

Had to

  1. I had to study.

    • Meaning: It was necessary for me to study.
    • Example: "I had to study last night for five hours."
  2. He had to go.

    • Meaning: It was necessary for him to go.
    • Example: "He had to go to the emergency room."
  3. John had to eat.

    • Meaning: It was necessary for John to eat.
    • Example: "John had to eat something despite feeling unwell."
  4. She had to listen.

    • Meaning: It was necessary for her to listen.
    • Example: "She had to listen to her teacher's advice."
  5. Merry had to eat.

    • Meaning: It was necessary for Merry to eat.
    • Example: "Merry had to eat quickly before leaving."

Conclusion / Summary and Takeaways

Today's lesson on "has to," "have to," and "had to" has equipped you with the tools needed to express necessity in English accurately. These phrases, integral to daily communication, help articulate obligations or needs. Remember, "has to" and "have to" are used for present or future obligations, while "had to" is used for past necessities.

To solidify your understanding, consider drawing mind maps that connect various obligations with the appropriate expressions. Sticky notes placed around your living or study area can serve as reminders to use these expressions in your daily conversations.

Applying these expressions in real-life scenarios will not only improve your fluency but also enhance your comprehension of English grammar nuances. We encourage you to share what you've learned with friends and engage in practice sessions to reinforce these concepts.

For more English learning resources and tips, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/learningenglishfree.co.uk. Your journey towards mastering English continues with us, and we're here to support every step of the way.

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