Statements of Necessity

Perhaps the most common way of saying "to have to" in Spanish is tener que followed by the infinitive.

Examples: Tengo que pagar impuestos. (I have to pay taxes.) Mi padre tiene que ir a Madrid. (My father has to go to Madrid.)

Tener que is the phrase for "statements of necessity" that is usually learned first by students of Spanish because it doesn't require the knowledge of any verb conjugation beyond the forms of tener. But there are other ways as well to make statements of necessity.

Another common way that is easy to learn is hay que, again followed by an infinitive:

Examples: Hay que ser muy listo. (It is necessary to be very ready.) ¿Por qué hay que usar códigos? (Why is it necessary to use codes?)

As might be expected, one of those other phrases used in statements of necessity is closely related to the word "necessary." That is the verb necesitar, which can be followed by que and a verb in the subjunctive mood to indicate that it is necessary for something to be done.

Examples: Necesito que un experto me contacte. (I need for an expert to contact me.) Necesitas que alguien te escuche. (You need someone to listen to you.)

Similarly, it is possible to use the impersonal phrase es necesario que, which also is followed by a verb in the subjunctive.

Examples: Es necesario que Europa conserve su herencia. (It is necessary for Europe to retain its heritage.) Es necesario que nos envíen los datos. (It is necessary for them to send us the data.)

Less common than the above is the impersonal phrase es preciso, which also means "it is necessary." It is usually followed by an infinitive, but it also can be followed by que and a subjunctive verb.

Examples: Es preciso revisar el diseño y la organización del programa. (It is necessary to change the design and organization of the program.) Es preciso que trabajen. (It is necessary for them to work.)

The impersonal phrase es importante, meaning "it is important," is used in the same way, although it isn't quite as forceful as es necesario.

Examples: Es importante saber sobre interoperabilidad. (It is important to know about interoperability.) Es importante que el sitio web esté en español. (It is important that the web site be in Spanish.)

Finally, to indicate that something is urgently necessary, it is possible to use the impersonal phrase urge que, again followed by a verb in the subjunctive.

Examples: Urge que X'cacel sea declarada como reserva natural protegida. (It is urgent that X'cacel be declared a natural protected reserve.) Me urge que todo el mundo lo lea. (It is urgent to me that everybody read it.)

The verb urgir can also stand alone as a verb to mean "to be urgently needed."

Examples: Urge atención inmediata el caso de los asesinatos de mujeres en Ciudad Juárez. The case of women murdered in Cuidad Juarez urgently needs attention.) Me urge ayuda sobre los siguientes terminales. (I urgently need help with the following terms.)