0

As far as I know, we can say "might have to" or "may have to", but I think I am not used to "can have to." Can we say, "can have to" like in this sentence I thought of: "You can have to buy me a new phone if you drop it." I know we can say, "You may/might have to buy me a new phone if you drop it (my phone)", but how about the phrase "can have to"? Is it generally ever usable?

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2

No, we don't say "can have to."

Generally the options are:

You may/might have to do x. (possibility)

You could have to do x. (possibility)

You will have to do x. (certainty)

Improve this answer
4
  • 1
    Also possible is "You have to buy me a new phone if you drop it." This is also expressing certainty.
    – Peter
    Jun 13, 2020 at 5:22
  • You could also say "You can buy me a new phone if you break it." (without the "have to"). Although "can" seems to express possibility, in that use it has an air of threat.
    – Jack O'Flaherty
    Jun 13, 2020 at 11:21
  • Thank you. How about "You can need to"? Is it used? It sounds like it might be wrong as well to me.
    – Fire and Ice
    Jun 13, 2020 at 14:05
  • "You could have to" also sounds wrong to me unless it is used in indirect speech.
    – Fire and Ice
    Jun 13, 2020 at 16:10

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .