tener que + Infinitive
Obligation with Tener
Use 'tener que + infinitive' to say what someone 'has to' do.
How It Works
To express that someone has an obligation or needs to do something, Spanish uses the structure tener que + infinitive. It's the direct equivalent of 'to have to' in English.
The formula is simple:
Conjugated tener + que + infinitive verb
1. Start with the verb tener and conjugate it for the subject (the person who has the obligation).
- Yo tengo (I have)
- Tú tienes (You have)
- Él/Ella/Usted tiene (He/She/You (formal) have)
- Nosotros/as tenemos (We have)
- Vosotros/as tenéis (You all have - Spain)
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes tienen (They/You all have)
2. Add the word que.
3. Add the infinitive of the verb describing the action (e.g., estudiar, comer, salir). The infinitive is the basic, unconjugated form of the verb.
For example: Yo tengo que estudiar. (I have to study.)
Examples (4)
- Tengo que estudiar para el examen.
I have to study for the exam.
Word by Word: I have that to study for the exam.
- Ana tiene que llamar a su madre.
Ana has to call her mother.
Word by Word: Ana has that to call to her mother.
- Tenemos que salir ahora.
We have to leave now.
Word by Word: We have that to leave now.
- ¿Por qué tienes que trabajar el sábado?
Why do you have to work on Saturday?
Word by Word: Why you have that to work the Saturday?
Common Mistakes
Forgetting to include 'que'
Yo tengo estudiar mucho.Yo tengo que estudiar mucho.The word 'que' is a necessary part of this structure. It must always come between the conjugated form of 'tener' and the infinitive verb.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'tener que + infinitive', you must first be able to conjugate the irregular verb 'tener' in the present tense. Additionally, you need to understand how to identify an infinitive verb and how to match the conjugation of 'tener' to the appropriate subject pronoun.
- tengo/tienes/tiene/tenemos/tienenTener Present Tense
The pattern 'tener que + infinitive' requires a conjugated form of the verb 'tener' as its base.
Foundations - yo/tú/él/ella/ustedSubject Pronouns (Singular)
Understanding subject pronouns is necessary to correctly conjugate 'tener' to match the person performing the obligation.
Foundations - -o/-as/-a/-amos/-áis/-anPresent Tense -AR Verbs
Learners must understand the concept of infinitives (the base form of verbs like -ar, -er, or -ir) which follow the 'que' particle in this construction.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- hay que + InfinitiveImpersonal Obligation
This is used for general, impersonal obligations ('One must...'), whereas 'tener que' is for specific, personal obligations ('I have to...').
Level 1 - deber + InfinitiveDuty/Should
'Deber' expresses a moral duty or suggestion ('should'), which is generally a weaker obligation than the necessity expressed by 'tener que' ('have to').
Level 1 - ir + a + InfinitiveNear Future
This structure is similar in form (conjugated verb + preposition + infinitive) and is often used to talk about future plans, which can be related to one's obligations.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice tener que + Infinitive in Bubblegum
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