Use of having to

[nleng]

Could you help me understand the use of having to in the sentence below?

They make sense without having to transfer action anywhere.

As far as I know, if we want to use a verb after a preposition, it must be in -ing form. Therefore the verb "have" becomes "having". Can the sentence above not be formed as They make sense without transferring action anywhere instead.

OR

Would it be correct if I changed the sentence above?
Without transferring action anywhere, they make sense.

I'll better understand the whole concept if the help of examples and explanations are given to me.

 

[5jj]

Have you any context for this sentence? What do you mean by 'transfer action'?

 

[nleng]

Sure!
Context as follows:

Intransitive verbs
They show action. Note that they don't transfer their action to anyone or anything. They make sense without having to transfer action anywhere.
Example: The ball rolled. Clocks tick. Buses move.

 

[jutfrank]

You've got the grammar right, yes. The original sentence includes have to (obligation) in the -ing form, so obviously if you remove that part you get a different sentence with a different meaning.

 

[jutfrank]

The original sentence includes have to (obligation)

Perhaps I should better have said 'necessity' rather than 'obligation', since the idea is that intransitive verb don't need to transfer the action. It isn't necessary.

 

[tedmc]

Saying "having to do something" does not mean something is done.

 

[nleng]

Do these two sentences below include the verb need to/have to (obligation/necessity)?

(a) It was so embarrassing having to sing in public.
(b) I'm tired of having to pretend all the time.

Let the sentences below be corrected if I'm wrong. I've tried simplifying them into two parts for a better understanding.

(a) It was so embarrassing. I have to sing in public.
(b) I'm tired. I have to pretend all the time.

 

[5jj]

Do these two sentences below include the verb need to/have to (obligation/necessity)?

(a) It was so embarrassing having to sing in public.
(b) I'm tired of having to pretend all the time.

I don't really understand your question. They clearly contain the -ing form of the verb HAVE TO. Equally clearly, they contain no part of the verb NEED.

I've tried simplifying them into two parts for a better understanding.

(a) It was so embarrassing. I [STRIKE]have [/STRIKE] had to sing in public.
(b) I'm tired. I have to pretend all the time.

OK, with my correction.