Avoir a passer

Question

Can you tell me why it's "avoir à passer du temps" rather than "avoir passer du temps"? From the lessons I would think the version without "à" would express "having to spend".

Also, in the last phrase it is difficult to understand whether they wanted a phrase to describe that he would become a person who translates any language instantly or he would instantly become a universal translator. Are those two things written differently?

Accepted Answer

Bonjour Danielle, 
1. avoir à + verb  -  avoir :
Chris's answer is great! 
Avoir à + verb = must / to have to  - avoir = to have / to possess
2. Instant universal translator:
an instant universal translator ->un traducteur universel instantanéinstantly a universal translator -> instantanément un traducteur universel / or / un traducteur universel instantanément
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !

Answer

That's a good question.J'ai du temps à passer. -- I have some time to spend. Here "have" is used in the meaning of "possessing" some time to spend, i.e., having time available to spend.J'ai à passer du temps. -- I have to spend some time. Here the meaning is that I "must" spend some time.