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 Pennsylvania, USA Veteran Member 18,775 Barbara, who answers in American English.

	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 4,645 What if I say I'm not like the others? 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 Wed, Oct 13 2004 Veteran Member 13,532 ...opella forensis / adducit febris...