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Introduction

How long is your to-do list? Beth and Neil talk about the jobs they need to do, and our grammar guru Georgie explains the grammar of your to-do list. Learn to use 'need to', 'have to', 'got to' and 'needs doing'.

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Grammar explanation

need/have + infinitive

Use 'have' and 'need' with the infinitive to talk about tasks on your to-do list.

Examples:

I have to mow the lawn this weekend.
She needs to write her history essay.

have + got + infinitive

Sometimes we add 'got' when talking about tasks we have to do with the infinitive. 'Got to' is often pronounce 'gotta' in speech.

Examples:

The company has got to reach new customers.
We've got to pick up my sister from the airport tomorrow.

need(s) + -ing form of the verb

When talking about to-do lists, we can flip the sentence round and start with the task. Here we use the -ing form of the verb instead of an infinitive.

Examples:

There's a huge pile of paperwork that needs doing.
This room is a mess. It needs tidying.

need(s) + to be + past participle

Examples:
This form needs to be signed by Monday.
The dishes need to be cleaned.

To do

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