Intermediate 📐 Grammar · #272 of 305

Obligation in the Past: Had To, Was Allowed To

Use past forms for past rules.

Examples

  • We had to wear uniforms.

Key rules

  • Had to = obligation in the past
  • Was or were allowed to = permission in the past
  • Negatives: didn't have to (not necessary), wasn't allowed to (forbidden)
  • Must has no past form

Common mistakes

  • We must wear uniforms (past) → We had to wear uniforms
  • We hadn't to → We didn't have to
💡 Tip: Use had to for past rules.
Practise this topic in the appPractise Intermediate quiz
← Be Allowed To and Be Supposed ToAbility in the Past: Could vs Was Able To →

Related Intermediate topics

See all Intermediate grammar lessons →

Present Perfect Continuous

have been + -ing stresses duration up to now.

Past Perfect

had + past participle for an earlier past action.

Past Perfect Continuous

had been + -ing for duration before a past moment.

Future Continuous

will be + -ing for actions in progress at a future time.

Future Perfect

will have + past participle for completion before a future time.

Future Perfect Continuous

will have been + -ing for duration up to a future point.