Anonymous  +  589297 Wed, 19 Nov 08 12:12 PM What do you think of this? I have to write a letter. (The obligation is the result of another’s direct command or direction.) I have a letter to write. (The obligation does not result from the command of another, but rather is a self-imposed task: it means ‘to be burdened with’ or ‘to feel it incumbent on oneself’.) Visser (1969). Anonymous

	Grammar Geek  +  589374 Wed, 19 Nov 08 01:53 PM I can't see how you would know from the first one whether it's self-imposed or externally imposed. This weekend, I have to pay bills. No one has called me and said "This weekend, you must pay bills!" It's just a chore that needs to be completed. Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,508 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random!

	Kooyeen  +  589518 Wed, 19 Nov 08 08:53 PM Anonymous “What do you think of this? ” Not true, generally speaking. I think the version with "have something to do" kind of suggests you "have" (possession, or experience of something) something, and you need/have to/are expected to/ etc. do something with it. Maybe, somehow. And by the way, in American English, the difference between "must" and "have to" is just a matter of register... and "gotta" is yet another alternative, the most informal one. Kooyeen Joined on Thu, Dec 22 2005 Italy Senior Member 4,936 Parental Advisory / Explicit Posts Difference Between, American English

	MrPedantic  +  589569 Wed, 19 Nov 08 11:46 PM 1. I have to write a letter. (The obligation is the result of another’s direct command or direction.) — not necessarily. I really do have to write that letter to Visser this weekend – the one that points out all the flaws in the "another's direct command" argument. 2. I have a letter to write. (The obligation does not result from the command of another, but rather is a self-imposed task: it means ‘to be burdened with’ or ‘to feel it incumbent on oneself’.) — not necessarily. Looking at my inbox now, for instance, I see that I have several posts to answer. It isn't a task; it isn't a burden; and I certainly don't feel it "incumbent" upon myself to reply. Indeed, it may well turn out to be a distinct pleasure... MrP MrPedantic Joined on Tue, Oct 12 2004 Veteran Member 13,616 ...opella forensis / adducit febris...