have to

== English == === Alternative forms === hafta (colloquial) === Etymology === Dates back at least to the Old English habban + tō construction, with the same meaning as sense 1 below. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) (weak form) IPA(key): /ˈhæf.tə/ (strong form) IPA(key): /ˈhæv.tuː/ (General American, Canada, General Australian) (weak form) IPA(key): /ˈhæf.tə/ (strong form) IPA(key): /ˈhæf.tu/ === Verb === have to (third-person singular simple present has to, present participle having to, simple past and past participle had to) Must; need to; to be urged to; to be required to; indicates obligation. Synonyms: need to, have got to, got to, gotta (with be) Must; expresses a logical conclusion. Synonyms: be bound to, have got to, got to, gotta, must ==== Usage notes ==== have is always followed by an infinitive verb, unless the verb is assumed: I don't want to go to school, but I have to. ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== Appendix:English modal verbs Appendix:English tag questions === References === Collins English Dictionary “have to”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present. “have to”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.