Both constructions express necessity, but they present the person responsible differently.

The idea

Conjugate tener for the person in tengo que or tenemos que; use hay que plus an infinitive without naming the person.

Examples

  • Tengo que devolver el libro.I have to return the book.
  • Hay que cerrar la puerta.The door needs to be closed.
  • Tenemos que llegar antes de las ocho.We have to arrive before eight.
  • Hay que llevar una entrada.A ticket must be brought.
  • ¿Tienes que trabajar mañana?Do you have to work tomorrow?
  • Hay que esperar aquí.It is necessary to wait here.

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Watch out

Hay que can apply to a particular situation as well as a general rule; impersonal means the sentence does not specify a subject.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the sentence that specifies I must return the book. (Tengo que devolver el libro. / Hay que devolver el libro.)

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    Tengo que devolver el libro.

    Tengo que explicitly identifies the speaker.

  2. Choose the sentence that states the need without naming a subject. (Hay que cerrar la puerta. / Tenemos que cerrar la puerta.)

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    Hay que cerrar la puerta.

    Hay que expresses the need without naming a subject.

  3. Choose the form of tener for nosotros. Nosotros ___ que llegar antes de las ocho. (tenemos / tengo)

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    tenemos

    Tenemos que identifies nosotros as responsible.

Use it today

Choose the construction that names the requested person or leaves the person unspecified.