Although it is more common to find it in literature and in formal content, in Spanish we can use the auxiliary verb haber + de + infinitive. This verbal structure is used to express:
1. An obligation, although not a strong one, or the convenience or necessity of doing something.
Have a look and listen to these examples:
He de coger el tren de las diez para llegar a tiempo a mi destino.
I must take the ten o'clock train to arrive at my destination on time.
Han de respetar todas las señales de tráfico.
You must respect all traffic signs.
Hemos de admitir que es más duro de lo que pensábamos.
We must admit that it is harder than we thought.
Has de reconocer que los estudiantes merecen un descanso.
You must admit that the students deserve a break.
Its more colloquial and informal equivalent is:
tener que/ deber/necesitar + infinitive
Tengo que/Debo/Necesito coger el tren de las diez para llegar a tiempo a mi destino.
2. A future action.
Have a look and listen to these examples:
Esta guerra habrá de acabar con la esperanza de paz de la gente.
This war will put an end to people's hope for peace.
No te preocupes por lo que nunca ha de pasar.
Don't worry about what will never happen.
Its more colloquial and informal equivalent is:
the main verb in the future tense
Esta guerra acabará con la esperanza de paz de la gente.
Remember:
Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics
Examples and resources
Has de reconocer que los estudiantes merecen un descanso.
You must admit that the students deserve a break.
Hemos de admitir que es más duro de lo que pensábamos.
We must admit that it is harder than we thought.
Han de respetar todas las señales de tráfico.
You must respect all traffic signs.
He de coger el tren de las diez para llegar a tiempo a mi destino.
I must take the ten o'clock train to arrive at my destination on time.
No te preocupes por lo que nunca ha de pasar.
Don't worry about what will never happen.
Esta guerra habrá de acabar con la esperanza de paz de la gente.
This war will put an end to people's hope for peace.
Q&A Forum 2 questions, 4 answers
Usted form is a possibility?
Hola Allison
Yes, if you think you must treat this person, Carmen, more formally, you could use the conjugation of usted, not tú. So you could also say "Carmen, ha de ser más comprensiva con SU marido" (Notice, though, that you would also have to change the possesive to the formal form, "su", not "tu")
Saludos
Inma
Usted form is a possibility?
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Example in lesson:
Esta guerra habrá de acabar con la esperanza de paz de la gente.This war will put an end to people's hope for peace.
No te preocupes por lo que nunca ha de pasar.Don't worry about what will never happen.
Why is this second example not taking "haber" in the future tense also? Or is it just a bad English translation?
Hi Allison
Both tenses are used to convey the same: a future idea.
You can either conjugate haber in the future or in the present. You could also say:
"Esta guerra ha de acaber con la esperanza de paz de la gente" or
"No te preocupes por lo que nunca habrá de pasar"
They are generally interchangeable.
Saludos
Inma
Example in lesson:
Esta guerra habrá de acabar con la esperanza de paz de la gente.This war will put an end to people's hope for peace.
No te preocupes por lo que nunca ha de pasar.Don't worry about what will never happen.
Why is this second example not taking "haber" in the future tense also? Or is it just a bad English translation?
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