"Have To" and "Need To": What's the Difference? [Updated]

• This video is so funny. You have/need to watch it!
• I have/need to go to the bathroom.
• A good gift doesn't have/need to be expensive.

In the sentences above, "have to" and "need to" are interchangeable — nobody will notice if you use one instead of the other.

However, "have to" and "need to" sometimes mean different things and are used in different contexts. Today we'll show you what those differences are so you'll know how to use them yourself.

Need To

"Need to" is related to the things we absolutely must have. For example, food, water and air are all basic human needs.

There are different kinds of needs, however: physical needs (like eating or sleeping), emotional needs (such as feeling respected or loved) and other kinds of needs, as well.

I need to take my medicine or I will get sick.

[I absolutely must take my medicine.]

All animals need to eat.

[Animals absolutely must eat.]

Children need to play because that is how they learn.

[Children absolutely must play.]

"Need to" makes the actions in these sentences (taking medicine, eating and playing) sound 100% necessary. If "have to" were used instead, they would still sound very important — just not like an absolute must.

Other meanings

While "need to" is often used literally, it can also be used in other ways. For example:

To add urgency or importance

We can use "need to" to add a sense of urgency or importance to what we say.

We need to talk.

[We absolutely must talk; it's very important that we do.]

I really need to find a job.

[I urgently need a job.]

To express a strong opinion or wish

"Need to" can show that we have a strong opinion about how someone should act or behave.

You need to be more open-minded and try new things!

[I strongly think you should be more open-minded.]

Kate needs to stop worrying so much.

[I strongly think Kate should stop worrying.]

"Need to" can also express a strong wish for something to happen.

My next-door neighbor needs to stop being so noisy.

[I wish my next-door neighbor would stop being noisy.]

This criminal needs to be sent to jail.

[I wish they would be sent to jail.]

When expressing strong opinions and wishes, only "need to" is appropriate, not "have to."

“Need to” is more common in technical and academic writing

Because it has a more specific meaning than "have to," "need to" is a better choice when it's important to be precise. This is why it's more common in technical and academic writing.

For example, here is a sentence from Engoo's Terms and Conditions page.

The User acknowledges that Registered Information needs to be maintained accurate.

And here's another example that you have probably seen while using your phone or computer.

Your device needs to restart to install updates.

Have To

"Have to" also means "must." However, it doesn't have the nuance that something absolutely must be done, like "need to" does. 

Instead, the nuance is that something must happen because of a rule, requirement or expectation.

You have to pay a fine if you park illegally.

[The fine is a result of breaking a rule.]

I have to be at work by 9 a.m.

[I am required to be at work by 9 a.m.]

I didn't want to keep this a secret from you, but I had to.

[I was expected to keep it a secret.]

Other meanings

To express certainty

We use "have to" when we are very certain about something.

That company has to be doing well if it can afford that fancy new office.

[I'm sure they're doing well.]

There has to be a mistake!

[I'm sure there was a mistake.]

This has to be the worst pizza I've ever eaten.

[This was definitely the worst pizza I've ever eaten.]

To express annoyance

We also use "have to" to express how annoyed we are when something bad happens.

It had to rain on the day we decided to have a picnic!

[It could have rained any day this week, but it rained today. How annoying!]

Naturally, my cat had to scratch my brand new dress!

[My cat could have ruined any other piece of clothing, but she chose to ruin a dress I just bought. Ugh!]

To share an honest opinion

We also use "have to" to share honest opinions, especially ones that we are hesitant to share.

I have to say, the movie was a bit disappointing.

[I wish I didn't have to say this, but the movie was disappointing.]

I have to admit, you're better at chess than I expected.

[I don't want to admit this, but you beat my expectations.]

Your Turn

Below are four passages from Engoo's Daily News service that use "have to" and "need to." Try to think about why the writer chose to use one phrase instead of the other.

A new law will mean that all new homes and other buildings in England will have to install charging points for electric vehicles.

Vehicle Charging Points Required for New Homes in England | Engoo Daily News

To win the National Awards, most photographers needed to both be a citizen of a country and to live there at the time of the awards.

Sony World Photography Awards Announces National Winners | Engoo Daily News

"I stand up, walk where I want to, I can walk the stairs — it's almost a normal life," Roccati told the BBC. However, he still needs to hold a walker to support his legs when he walks.

Spinal Implant Helps Paralyzed Man Walk Again | Engoo Daily News

The shelter says possible new pet owners will have to spend time getting to know the animal before it decides whether or not they can take the cat or dog home.

German Animal Shelter Puts Pets on Tinder | Engoo Daily News

To learn about the differences between other similar words and phrases in English, we recommend this article.

Finally, if you want to improve your grammar and fluency, join Engoo and learn with thousands of professional English tutors from around the world!

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