English is the language used universally and is mostly accepted globally as the first or second language. The advice to have perfection in the language is to make grip on the grammar, which is the most important thing in any form of language. Because to form a final sentence, the first thing to consider is connecting different short sentences to make a whole.
Key Takeaways
- โHave toโ implies a sense of obligation or duty, while โget toโ implies a sense of privilege or opportunity.
- โHave toโ suggests that the task or activity is necessary, mandatory, or unavoidable. โGet toโ suggests the task or activity is desirable, enjoyable, or rewarding.
- Using โget toโ instead of โhave toโ can help shift oneโs perspective and attitude towards the task or activity, making it feel less burdensome and more positive.
Have To vs Get To
The difference between Have to and Get to is that when โHave toโ is used in a sentence or statement, it is meant to make an obligation or compulsion to perform a task or work. Comparatively, on the other hand, when โGet toโ is used in a sentence or a statement, it is meant to make or give some privilege or opportunity to someone.ย

Have to often referred to as a transitive verb (which means it admires or puts stress over the action or emotion of the verb by which it is affected). The word โHave toโ is probably used to make any obligation or satisfy another personโs compulsion. The final sentences or statements are negative.ย
Get to is an irregular transitive verb. The word โGet toโ is often used to denote any privilege given or an opportunity to another person. For example โ I willย get toย have my mobile phone after my 18th birthday.ย The given example signifies the privilege given to another person. โGet toโ is the first form of the verb, which is used only in present-tense sentences or statements.ย
Comparison Table
Parameters of Comparison | Have To | Get To |
---|---|---|
Usage | Any obligation or compulsion | Getting some privilege |
Verb Form | Second Form | First Form |
Example | I have to study for my exam tomorrow. | This time, I get to decide the place for our next vacation. |
Tense | Both Present and Future | Only Present |
Used with | All plural subjects along with I, You, We, They. | Used with singular subjects I, You, and plural subject We, They |
Type | Negative | Positive |
What is Have To?
The meaning of the word โHave toโ, which is often used in our daily sentences, is nothing but the obligations, compulsions, and directions given to another person to complete or perform the necessary work or task. It is one of the good examples of transitive verbs used in English Grammar. Consider the following example that has been given below for a better understanding โย
Iย have toย complete my pending school homework before I leave to attend the wedding function.ย ย
Thus, it herby signifies the compulsion to complete the task before performing the other one. โHave toโ is the second form of the verb and is used in sentences that are in the present tense or future tense. In a sentence, โHave toโ is used with all the plural subjects in addition to I, You, We, and They.
The structure to form a sentence have to be as follows โ Subject + Verb + Object. Sometimes the sentence formed is in negative form, but other than that, it can be formed in affirmative and interrogative form.

What is Get To?
The meaning of the word โGet toโ, a regular and common phrase used in daily life, meant the liberty, opportunity, or privilege given to another person. It is a great example of transitive verbs known in English Grammar. Below is the example to get a clear idea about the same โย
Tomorrow we willย get toย Sydney by 7:30 p.m.
I am very excited because Iย get toย know more about our Prime Minister personally.ย
The above two examples showcase the opportunities and privileges they provided or received. โGet toโ is the first form of the verb and is used in sentences in the present tense. The little phrase is used in both cases when to signify a single person or plural person in addition to the subject You, I, We, and They. They formerly create a positive or an affirmative sentence when used.
Main Differences Between Have To and Get To
- โHave toโ signifies an expression of obligation or compulsion made to another person, while on the other hand โGet toโ denotes the expression of any opportunity or privilege provided to someone.
- โHave toโ is the second form of the verb, while โGet toโ is used as the first form of the verb in a sentence.
- โHave toโ can be used in both present and future sentences, while โGet toโ is used only in the present tense.
- The word โHave toโ is used with the plural subjects in addition to I, We, They, You, whereas the word โGet toโ is used with both singular and plural subjects in different situations and forms of sentences in addition to I, They, You, We.
- โHave toโ forms a negative form of the sentence, while โGet toโ forms a positive form of a sentence.
- An example of โHave toโ is I have to work before the deadline as asked by HR while an example of the word โGet toโ is The park wasnโt fun, but the food we get to eat was nice.

References
- https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780203060018-17/get-right-anyway-brian-page
- https://brill.com/view/book/edcoll/9789004368804/BP000008.xml
- https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=yAFYlnz6OGAC&oi=fnd&pg=PA119&dq=difference+between+have+to+and+get+to&ots=FJn_ki2FIo&sig=u4l-Z2pyKhtBbYuXKyiE9utMQ4s&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=difference%20between%20have%20to%20and%20get%20to&f=false
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278431903000240

Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.