Haber + De + Infinitive

Question

Hello,

I am familiar with the common uses of the verb "Haber" but I can not find an explanation for the construction: Haber (conjugated) + de + verb in the infinitive for example habia de pager... he de ser...

What is the significance of this construction? How does it translate? For instance: llegar (conj) + a + Ser means, specifically to become or becoming even though an exact English translation would not make this obvious.

• You mean llegar, llagar is to break out in sores. - BellaMargari Jun 19, 2010
• You know, I thought something about that looked funny! Well, thank you, I learned a new verb. - Zachary-Sant Jun 19, 2010

Answer 1

haber de means must when making obeservation, not obligation

• observation not obeservation. - Maria-Russel Aug 31, 2011

Answer 2

Perhaps this definition from the DPD might help:

haber de + infinitivo. En el español general, esta perífrasis denota obligación, conveniencia o necesidad de que el sujeto realice la acción expresada por el verbo —o, si el infinitivo es pasivo, de que le suceda lo expresado por el verbo— y equivale a tener que, fórmula preferida en el habla corriente

---

A veces expresa, simplemente, acción futura: «¡No he de morir hasta enmendarlo!» (Cuzzani Cortés [Arg. 1988]); «Ni siquiera la guerra habría de aliviar el temor y el respeto que imponía aquel valle a trasmano» (Benet Saúl [Esp. 1980]).

It is used much the same as the perífrasis tener que, but pay attention to the part highlighted in red which mentions that the preferred manner of expressing this is to use "tener que" rather than "haber de." While personally, I have seen the "haber de + infinitive" formula employed in some writing, I have also been cautioned by some that speaking this way sounds extremely stiff, formal and old fashioned and is best to be avoided.

• great answer - Fidalguinho Jun 19, 2010
• Thanks: yeah, I have been reading classic literature in Spanish (with translation) that's why. They arereally the only bilingual books I could find. - Zachary-Sant Jun 19, 2010

Answer 3

haber de hacer algo = to have to do something

Answer 4

Haber is considered an axilliary verb. Use verbs like tener (to have), or deber (to have to, must). I must pay, I have to pay.

Tengo que pagar. Debo pagar.

• auxiliary :) - Izanoni1 Jun 19, 2010