had to vs has to

The phrases 'had to' and 'has to' are both correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Had to' is used to talk about past obligations or requirements, while 'has to' is used to talk about present obligations or requirements.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 1046 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used to express past obligations or requirements.

"had to"

Use 'had to' when referring to something that was necessary in the past, such as an obligation, requirement, or duty.

Examples:

I had to finish my homework before going out to play.
She had to attend the meeting yesterday.
They had to leave early to catch the train.
He had to study hard for the exam last week.
We had to wait for hours at the airport.

Show examples from the web [+]

I had to cancel a date with Shauna Malwae-Tweep.
Just had to follow the breadcrumbs.
Said everything had to be ready before thanksgiving.
This meant Hammond had to think big.
And then I had to meet you.
Actually, I had to moisturize twice.
I had to catalogue his prison tats.
Everything that had to happen happened.
Shame we had to release Peter Goldman.
Then what had to happen happened.
I'm sorry I had to do it this way, Tara.
Commander Reynolds had to retire from the Navy.
Project Troy had to focus first on broadcasting and propaganda.
I had to reschedule because of the holiday.
You never had to watch 60Minuteslikethis.
Secondly, we had to resolve certain specific problems.
We had to reschedule our appointment with the adoption lawyer.
The emerging electricity had to be rectified and stored.
I had to get up then on account of a suit that had to be finished for Mick Foley.
You agreed there had to be changes.

Alternatives:

needed to
was required to
was obligated to

This phrase is correct and commonly used to express present obligations or requirements.

"has to"

Use 'has to' when referring to something that is necessary in the present, such as a current obligation, requirement, or duty.

Examples:

She has to finish her work before leaving.
He has to attend the meeting today.
The team has to submit the report by Friday.
I have to call my parents tonight.
The doctor has to see the patient immediately.

Show examples from the web [+]

The redistribution of wealth upward through killing has to stop.
This investigation has to be airtight.
The rat has to surface sometime.
Everything has to leave home sometime.
An acquaintance has to cross tomorrow.
Continuity has to be ensured in rural development.
Furthermore, it has to fulfil specific programming obligations relating to international cooperation.
Incompatible aid granted illegally has to be recovered.
VELCADE powder has to be dissolved before administration.
Our approach to FMD has to adapt accordingly.
This improved cooperation has to keep up with technological change.
Every democratic party has to condemn extreme right-wing ideologies and violence.
This obviously has to happen through our Members.
Each attribute has to be sensory evaluated separately.
This is intolerable and has to change.
Something has to change, something has to give.
Where a farmer only has to declare permanent pasture and, therefore, has to submit an area aid application, checks may be programmed differently.
Don't fall for the idea of purist that everything has to be analog or everything has to be electronic or everything has to be anything.
Someone has to lead, and someone has to stay here.
The person behind the intel has to have access to our investigation and that has to come from high up.

Alternatives:

must
needs to
is required to

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had to vs has to

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