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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Difference between "have to" and "have" object "to"

Hi all,

Is there any difference between these two statements? If yes could you explain us the difference please,,

I have to pay bills
I have bills to pay

Thanks,
Naresh
  

Top answer

The first one focuses more on the activity of payment and the second one focuses more on the existence of the bills. The second one is a more familiar word order, but the choice may also depend on what (if anything) follows.

— GPY

  • The first one focuses more on the activity of payment and the second one focuses more on the existence of the bills.
  • The second one is a more familiar word order, but the choice may also depend on what (if anything) follows.
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2 Answers
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The first one focuses more on the activity of payment and the second one focuses more on the existence of the bills. The second one is a more familiar word order, but the choice may also depend on what (if anything) follows.
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The first sentence says that you are obligated to pay the bills (the verb "have to" denotes obligation). Your second sentence is probably less strong than the first but basically conveys the same idea.

"have" in your second sentence doesn't indicate true possession but is a rather informal way to say that you need to do something. Sometimes you can use this structure just to get rid of so
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