Common Errors in English: Need or Have To?

Don’t say: “I need study more.”

Say: “I need to study more.”

Or: “I have to study more.”

“Need” and “have to” have the same meaning – they both describe a requirement. 

“Need” is more formal than “have to.”

Have to is always followed by a verb, never a noun:

  • I have to a book.
  • I have to get a book.
Need can be followed by a verb or a noun. When it is followed by a verb, we use need to. When it is followed by a noun, we don’t use “to”:
  • I need a book.
  • I need to go to the library.
  • I need go to the library.

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Common Errors in English: Need or Have To? Espresso English

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