Hoeven versus Moeten

Hoeven is a modal verb. A modal verb (also called a modal auxiliary verb) indicates a certain attitude towards the other verb. You can combine it with other verbs.

It's important to understand the difference between hoeven and moeten (obligation):

Hoeven goes together with a decrease of the load (maar, pas, alleen, bijna niet) or negation (geen, niet, nooit). Hoeven is combined with “te” if used with another verb. 

So, hoeven means you don't have to do something, while moeten means the opposite. This means hoeven normally introduces good news: less work or more time.

• Ik moet morgen de was doen.
• I have to do the laundry tomorrow.
• Ik hoef morgen de was niet te doen.
• I don't have to do the laundry tomorrow.
• Ik moet morgen om negen uur werken
• I have to work at nine tomorrow
• Ik hoef morgen pas om negen uur te werken.
• I do not have to work until nine o'clock tomorrow.
• Ik moet morgen vijf uur werken.
• I have to work five hours tomorrow.
• Ik hoef morgen maar vijf uur te werken.
• I only have to work five hours tomorrow.
• Ik moet morgen in de ochtend werken. 
• I have to work in the morning tomorrow. 
• Ik hoef morgen alleen in de ochtend te werken.
• I only have to work in the morning tomorrow. 

Be careful: you combine hoeven with "te"!