Although it is more common to find it in literature and in formal content, in Spanish we can use the auxiliary verb haber + de + infinitive. This verbal structure is used in two different ways:
Haber de + infinitive: obligation, convenience, necessity
It expresses an obligation although not a strong one, or the convenience or necessity of doing something.
Have a look and listen to these examples:
He de coger el tren de las diez para llegar a tiempo a mi destino.I must take the ten o'clock train to arrive at my destination on time.
Its more colloquial and informal equivalent is:
tener que/ deber/necesitar + infinitive
Tengo que/Debo/Necesito coger el tren de las diez para llegar a tiempo a mi destino.
Haber de + infinitive: future action.
Have a look and listen to these examples:
Its more colloquial and informal equivalent is:
the main verb in the future tense
Esta guerra acabará con la esperanza de paz de la gente.
¿Por qué habría de + infinitive? Why should/would...?
There is a slightly different connotation when we use "habría de" (i.e. haber in the conditional tense) in a question using ¿Por qué...?
This is generally used indicating "why should/would something have a certain effect", normally within a conversation where there is an element of doubt about something.
For example:
Remember:
Haber (conjugated) + de + infinitive
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