have to say/say

MollyB   Mon Oct 13, 2008 9:50 am GMT
What difference in meaning and/or use would there be between these, IYO?

[i]Go into your bedroom and stay there till your father gets home. Let's see what he has to say about your behaviour today.[/i]

[i]Go into your bedroom and stay there till your father gets home. Let's see what he says about your behaviour today.[/i]
Gest   Fri Oct 17, 2008 3:28 am GMT
"Has" in this sense is actually a possessive (It's pronounced with /z/), and in this context is talking about the thoughts that he will have about the situation more than the words that he will use. It sort of calls attention to his thinking behind the speech as opposed to the actual speech. The second example calls attention directly to his speech. In the US where I speak, I think that #1 would be the better choice.

Another example:

"Let's see what he has to cook today."
"Let's see what he cooks today."

#1 refers more to the ingredients and the subject's plans for cooking, while #2 refers more to the food that comes at the end.
Another Guest   Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:20 pm GMT
Standard usage would also be "Go to your room" rather "Go into your room".