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Milky Posted 20 years ago
Linguistics Studies
"have + object + to + verb"
Interesting that, in modern use, "have + object + to + verb" can express obligation, when it normally expresses possession:
She has a train to catch.
He has a child to feed.
She has a train to catch.
He has a child to feed.
Top answer
Yeah, that is interesting. " Well, it expresses some sort of possession and obligation. I guess you could say it emphasizes the fact that the obligation is yours to take care of.
- Yeah, that is interesting.
- " Well, it expresses some sort of possession and obligation.
- I guess you could say it emphasizes the fact that the obligation is yours to take care of.
- There's a subtle difference between "I have to do something" and "I have something to do" -- but I'm sure everyone has his own opinion of what that subtle difference is.
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27 Answers
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Yeah, that is interesting. Even in this case, though, it does express possession in a way, like "I have work to do." Well, it expresses some sort of possession and obligation. I guess you could say it emphasizes the fact that the obligation is yours to take care of. There's a subtle difference between "I have to do something" and "I have something to do" -- but I'm sure everyone has
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Cf. Trollope, in his Autobiography:
1. I have from the first felt sure that the writer, when he sits down to commence his novel, should do so, not because he has to tell a story, but because he has a story to tell.
MrP
1. I have from the first felt sure that the writer, when he sits down to commence his novel, should do so, not because he has to tell a story, but because he has a story to tell.
MrP
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Great quote! 
In that context, the meaning is completely different.
If you changed the original examples, though,
In that context, the meaning is completely different.
If you changed the original examples, though,
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MrPedanticCf. Trollope, in his Autobiography:Doesn't every good writer feel the necessity to write?
1. I have from the first felt sure that the writer, when he sits down to commence his novel, should do so, not because he has to tell a story, but because he has a story to tell.
MrP
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<Great quote! 
In that context, the meaning is completely different. >
Maybe not. Many artists produce there works out of necessity.
I have a story to tell
In that context, the meaning is completely different. >
Maybe not. Many artists produce there works out of necessity.
I have a story to tell
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That's true, but the quote points out the distinction between needing to write a story and having a story in the first place.
It's like saying "I have to say something" versus "I have something to say."
If you have to say something, you might feel forced to speak due to the current situation, but that doesn't necessarily mean you actually have anything to say. You c
It's like saying "I have to say something" versus "I have something to say."
If you have to say something, you might feel forced to speak due to the current situation, but that doesn't necessarily mean you actually have anything to say. You c
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<
That's true, but the quote points out the distinction between needing to write a story and having a story in the first place.>
One has a story, what does one want to do with it and why? I feel that the quote expresses possession and neccesity.
That's true, but the quote points out the distinction between needing to write a story and having a story in the first place.>
One has a story, what does one want to do with it and why? I feel that the quote expresses possession and neccesity.
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<It's like saying "I have to say something" versus "I have something to say.">
Foe me, they both mean "I feel a need to say something" or "I want to speak". If you didn't have anything to say, you wouldn't feel the need to claim that you had.
Foe me, they both mean "I feel a need to say something" or "I want to speak". If you didn't have anything to say, you wouldn't feel the need to claim that you had.
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MilkyTrollopeMrPedanticCf. Trollope, in his Autobiography:Doesn't every good writer feel the necessity to write?
1. I have from the first felt sure that the writer, when he sits down to commence his novel, should do so, not because he has to tell a story, but because he has a story to tell.
MrP
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MrPedanticTrollope only says "writer".Correction, he says "THE writer", meaning, all writers.
MrP
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