What's the difference between need to and have to?

Question

grammatically or in usage

Answer 1

If you HAVE to do something, you also NEED to.

But if you NEED to do something, you don't always HAVE to.

Basically, if you have to do something, it's mandatory. If you need to, it's not.

Answer 2

i'd say something you need to do like eat; there's no law that you have to eat but you do because u get hungry... you need to eat. "it's a self decision" (if that makes sense lol)

something you have to do i think usually is created by someone else. something you have to do like obey the law.

Answer 3

need to: is something that you want to do and have to make time for.

have to: is when it is mandatory.

but they're both the same

Answer 4

"Have to" is like you have no option but must do it.

"Need to" more like "should": I should do it 'cause I need to.

Answer 5

They're synonymous and both are perfectly acceptable grammatically.

Answer 6

When you HAVE to do something, you don't really have a choice in the matter, for example you HAVE to breathe to stay alive.

However, when you NEED to do something, you are aware of the situation that must be dealt with, but you might not act straight away i.e I really NEED to go to the gym soon!

Answer 7

Basically, needing to do something is just a stronger way of saying you have to do something. For example, when I tell someone I have to use the restroom it can mean that I do of course have to use the restroom but I may just WANT to use the bathroom even though I don't NEED to use the bathroom. Having to so something may be a stronger way of saying you want to do something. All the while, saying that you need to do something means that you must do it without a doubt and you can't avoid it.

Answer 8

Ex. Need to- I need to fix my house because it's falling apart.

                    I need you. I need money. I need things.

(the word need looks weird now, whoa)

Have to- I have to have everything in the world.

Basically, like its been said, 'Need To" is important necessities that need to be accomplished. These things cannot be put off.

"Have To" is for greedy people who can't have enough and want more and more. Greedy people these days, huh?

Answer 9

I don't see any difference.

Answer 10

They're pretty much used the same way....

Answer 11

Technically they are the same but 'have to' is more used now to indicate something you do not need (like air to breathe) but "Have to have" to keep up with your peers.  E.g., a better car, a dearer dress.  "I have to have a plasma television now that my neighbour has one".

The language is living and evolves according to how it is used.

Answer 12

"need to and have to?" or "have to and need to"?

that is the question.....

Answer 13

think of "need to" as you can't survive without it, and "have to" as a something greater forcing you.

Answer 14

I need to have water to live but i have to have IPhone 3G but i don't really need it.

Answer 15

well to need something is to want to have it as a strong necessity, and have to doesn't always mean that you need it.