The Auxiliary Verbs Tener and Haber

TENER and HABER are used for the English "to have," followed by an infinitive, as:

• Tienen que acabar el trabajo para fines de Enero: They have to finish the work for the end of January.
• Hemos de seguir los consejos de los peritos en la materia: We have to follow the advice of those expert in the matter.

In such cases Tener is followed by que and Haber by de. The former indicates compulsion or necessity, the latter a moral or self-imposed duty.

Haber de translates also "to be to," as:

• ¿Quién ha de hacer este viaje? Who is to go on this journey?

Tener de is used in threats:

• Tengo de llevarlo ante el tribunal: I shall take him before the court.

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