About Tener versus using Hacer

Question

So i know generally that tener refers to possession for the most part while hacer refers to an auxiliary verb which includes indicating that something was done or maybe will be done. However i see the phrase "tengo que irme" a lot, and you can't possess leaving so why isn't it something like "hago que irme"? or is this just an exception?

welcome to the forum :) - 006595c6, Jun 30, 2017

Answer 1

So i know generally that tener refers to possession for the most part while hacer refers to an auxiliary verb which includes indicating that something was done or maybe will be done. However i see the phrase "tengo que irme" a lot, and you can't possess leaving so why isn't it something like "hago que irme"? or is this just an exception?

1 The auxilary verb is haber, not hacer. Hacer means to do or make.

2 Tener is indeed sometimes used sort of like a auxilary with a past participle, but not exactly, and only in certain usages, but your example is not such. For example:

He completado la tarea. I have completed the task. Haber plus true past participle.

Tengo completada la tarea. I have the task completed. Tener with certain past participles being used as an adjective.

Note the sense the different word order gives in English- that is done in Spanish by changing the verb. Note in the first it is a true auxilary and past participle so completado does not match tarea, in the second it is an adjective and so matches. I have it (possess it) completed (in a state of completion).

3 Tener que infinitivo is a set phrase that means I have to do something. I have that to do. It is how it used. It has nothing to do with the way haber or hacer is used that I can see.

Tengo que completar la tarea. I have to complete the task.

Tengo que decir algo. I have to say something. Here you have that you need to say something.

Tengo algo que decir. I have something to say. Here you have something that you need to say.

nice, bosque :) - 006595c6, Jun 30, 2017

Thanks Heidita, and I see only two mistakes in my English to correct (which probably means there are two I am missing). :) - bosquederoble, Jun 30, 2017

wow thanks so much for the detailed answer man - ronald1346, Jul 1, 2017

Also what do you mean by "matches" in your second explanation? Is hacer the better way of saying it or tener? - ronald1346, Jul 1, 2017

Haber not hacer. Using haber is more common. In the sentence he completado... completado ends with an o because it is a true past participle. In the tengo completada. .. it ends with an a, because it acts as an adjective, and has to match la tarea. :) - bosquederoble, Jul 1, 2017

Ahh ok thanksss - ronald1346, Jul 5, 2017

Answer 2

Ronald, I think your confusing "hacer" with "haber" as far as an auxiliary verb.

"Tener que" + infinitive is idiomatic. It means "to have to do something." It is one of the most used expressions.

"Tengo que hacerlo."-"I have to do it." “¿Por qué tenemos que acostarnos tan temprano?”-“Why do we have to go to bed so early?” "Tienes que asistir a la escuela."-"You have to go to school."

ahhh ok i see thanks - ronald1346, Jul 1, 2017

Answer 3

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

Tener is to have If you wanted to say I have two dogs Tengo dos perros (which means possession)

but if you put QUE... it means something that you have to do... for example..

I have to write my answer. Tengo QUE escribir mi respuesta

note: I am not a native speaker.

lol that is ok, thanks for the help. - ronald1346, Jul 1, 2017