having to do

[tufguy]

Hi guys,

We say "you are doing it" or "you have to do it" but can we say "you are having to do it" ? If it is correct sentence, what does it mean?

 

[BobK]

The first two are fine. The last is just (arguably...) acceptable in very rare circumstances to express the idea that someone is currently under an obligation to 'do it'. Don't use it.

b

 

[Matthew Wai]

"Since you have taken on the work, you are having to do it."
Is it acceptable?

 

[MikeNewYork]

I would end that sentence with "you have to do it".

 

[Rover_KE]

"Since you have taken on the work, you are having to do it."
Is it acceptable?

As Bob said: 'It's just (arguably) acceptable.'

Don't use it.

 

[emsr2d2]

Note that the present continuous is used much more frequently in Indian English than in any other variant.

 

[BobK]

As Bob said: 'It's just (arguably) acceptable.'

Don't use it.

Perhaps I was being over-permissive*. I'd never use it.

b

PS * It's just that in this forum whenever anyone says 'You just can't use it' some clever-Dick often thinks up an extreme and improbable context for just those words. ;-)

 

[Matthew Wai]

some clever-Dick often thinks up an extreme and improbable context for just those words. ;-)

Any examples?

 

[probus]

Note that the present continuous is used much more frequently in Indian English than in any other variant.

I can definitely hear an Indian speaker using it but I still don't know whether to mark it dialect or incorrect. Even when in India and attempting to speak Indian English, I would never use it.

 

[tzfujimino]

I've found this one: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...-im-having-to-cancel-some-public-appearances/
It's "I'm having to ...", though.

 

[Matthew Wai]

See the following search results too.
https://www.google.com.hk/search?es...2.2.0....0...1c.1.41.serp..1.1.72.VPfldhRJs9k

 

[emsr2d2]

As BobK said early on in the thread, it's possible when describing a temporary obligation.

"The problem is that you're used to being spontaneous but at the moment you're having to be more thoughtful and considered."

 

[Matthew Wai]

This page says "use the Present Continuous to show that something is planned and will be done in the near future", does it apply to "having to"?

 

[tufguy]

So, is "I am having to do it" correct, if yes, what does it mean?

 

[tufguy]

What does "I am having to do" means?

 

[Matthew Wai]

It should mean "temporary obligation" as emsr2d2 said above, but I doubt whether what Obama said on the page shown in Post#10 means so, so I posted my above question.

Not a teacher.

 

[tufguy]

If "I am having to do" is a correct formation, what does it mean, could you please tell.

 

[Raymott]

If "I am having to do" is a correct formation, what does it mean, could you please tell.

It means you have to do it, and you have to do it now, and probably over a period of time.

 

[Matthew Wai]

emsr2d2 said "a temporary obligation" and Raymott said "a period of time", should it be a short period of time?

 

[Raymott]

emsr2d2 said "a temporary obligation" and Raymott said "a period of time", should it be a period of short time?

There are many competent respondents to this thread who could explain this. Why am I having to do it?
(It's temporary; it's immediate; considering my earlier post, it's happening (intermittently) over the course of a few hours. The period of time is irrelevant. If all the other teachers have left the thread, and I'm still here, that would explain why I am having to answer the remaining questions. I have little control over how long this process will take.
(Strictly speaking, I don't have to do it. But it's an example.)