Home
Q&A
Hay que, Tener que in past tense

Hay que, Tener que in past tense

3
votes

Can you use these constructions in the past tense? Would it be? Hay que + past tense instead of infinitive One has had to learn quickly to survive = Para sobrevivir hay que aprendí rápidamente

Tuve que sacar la basura o tener que saqué = I had to take out the rubbish or I have had to take out the rubbish.

3568 views
updated Dec 30, 2011
posted by teasip

6 Answers

2
votes

Sure! You can use 'tener que' just as easy in the past tenses, but for 'hubo/había que' the meanings a little different. See here for more information

updated Dec 30, 2011
edited by Himself12794
posted by Himself12794
Thanks that link was very usefull - teasip, Dec 30, 2011
2
votes

HI teasip, you conjugate the first verb, always.

One has had to learn quickly to survive = Para sobrevivir hubo que aprender rápidamente

Tuve que sacar la basura, I had to take out the rubbish

updated Dec 30, 2011
posted by 00494d19
Nice that will be easy to remember then. - teasip, Dec 30, 2011
1
vote

Yes, you can use them in the past tense. In the case of "hay que" you don't conjugate the infinitive, but instead the verb "haber" which normally gives you "había que" o "hubo que". In your second example you can use either "tuve" or "tenía". Tuve que - I had to (and did it). Tenía que - I had to (but did not necessarily do it).

updated Dec 30, 2011
edited by pescador1
posted by pescador1
thanks that was very clearly explained - teasip, Dec 30, 2011
1
vote

You conjugate the 1st verb. Example is : Tuve que...

updated Dec 30, 2011
posted by yaction
1
vote

I may be totally wrong here but here goes.

Para sobrevivir hubo que aprender rápidamente.

I believe hubo is the past tense form of hay.

Anyone?

updated Dec 30, 2011
posted by gringojrf
Looks like you nailed it:-) - teasip, Dec 30, 2011
1
vote

Yes, you can use those constructions in the past, present or future.

Tuve que sacar la basura is correct for I had to take out the rubbish.

Tendrá que sacar la basura, I will have to take out the rubbish.

updated Dec 30, 2011
posted by Jeremias