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have (possession)

Grammar Basics: Unit 59 – Have

Posted on 2013/02/26

The verb “have” is used to show possession. In this usage, it is interchangeable with “have got”.

Pattern:

I have (something) / I have got (something) / I’ve got (something)
You have ~ / You have got ~ / You’ve got ~
He / She / It has ~ // He has got / She has got / It has got ~ // He’s got / She’s got / It’s got ~
We have ~ / We have got ~ / We’ve got ~
They have ~ / They have got ~ / They’ve got ~

Examples:

I have 500 books in my personal library. // I have got (I’ve got) 500 books….
My brother has a new job. // My brother has got a new job. // My brother’s got a new job.
We have tickets for next week’s game. // We’ve got tickets for next week’s game.
You’d better be quiet – Mom has a headache. // You’d better be quiet – Mom’s got a headache.

Question form:

Do I (you, we, they) have ~ ? / Does he (she, it) have ~?

Have I (you, we, they) got ~ ? / Has he (she, it) got ~?

Examples:

Do you have a moment? // Have you got a moment?
Does Joe have a red car? // Has Joe got a red car?
Do they have any newspapers? // Have they got any newspapers?

Negative:

do not have / don’t have // does not have / doesn’t have

have not got / haven’t got // has not got / hasn’t got

Examples:

We don’t have any bananas. // We haven’t got any bananas.
Mr. Smith doesn’t have a clue what to do. // Mr. Smith hasn’t got a clue what to do.
I don’t have any patience for yappy dogs. // I haven’t got any patience for yappy dogs.

Past tense: had
Negative past: didn’t have

Examples:

I had the measles when I was in fifth grade.
We had a good time on vacation.
Jack had a pony when he was little.
He didn’t have his wallet with him.
They didn’t have enough money to buy a new car.
You didn’t have Mrs. Nelson for English, did you?

Note: The past tense does NOT use “got” at all!

Also, some set phrases do NOT use “got”:

have breakfast / lunch / dinner / a snack / a soda / something to eat or drink, etc.:

Every Saturday morning we have waffles.
Do you want to have something to eat after the movie?

have a baby:

Mrs. Smith’s going to have a baby next fall.

have a (good, bad) dream:

I had a bad dream last night.

have a good time:

If you go to Yellowstone, I’m sure you’ll have a good time.

have a good trip:

Did you have a good trip when you went to Europe?

have a nice / good / bad day:

Be sure to tell each customer to have a nice day.

have a party:

They had a going-away party for Jack on his last day of work.

have a vacation / days off:

We won’t have a vacation until July.

have an accident:

Mike had an accident on his way to work last Tuesday.

have an argument:

It seems like the Browns have an argument almost every week.

have fun:

Study hard, but don’t forget to have fun!

Exercises. Complete the sentences, using the correct form of have / have got.

Example:

______________ a dozen potholders to sell at the bazaar. (I / have) ==> I have (got) a dozen potholders to sell at the bazaar.

1.   ______________ enough money for movie tickets. (They / have / not)
2.   ______________ short hair and a blue T-shirt in that old picture. (John / have)
3.   Mary isn’t coming in to work today. ______________ a cold. (She / have)
4.   ______________ a secret, and I promised not to tell anyone what it is. (I / have)
5.   If ______________ a key, you can call me at the office and I will come and let you in. (you / have / not)
6.   ______________ too many toys. We’re going to donate some to charity. (You kids / have)
7.   ______________ has a wonderful sense of humor. (Mr. Smith / have)
8.   Mr. Jones won’t hire a secretary ______________ a good work ethic. (who / have / not)
9.   I’d love to stay and chat, but ______________ time this afternoon. (I / have / not)
10.   ______________ any space in the trunk for my backpack? (you / have)

Exercises. Complete the sentences, using the correct form of have and a phrase from the list.

Example:

We ______________ last night. (a bad storm) ==> We had a bad storm last night.

a bad day
a car accident
a good flight
a good time
a nice trip
a sandwich
an argument
her baby
some cake
something to drink

1.   You can ______________ if you’re still hungry.
2.   It’s very hot out, and I’m thirsty. Do you ______________?
3.   Don’t bother Mr. Black. He’s ______________.
4.   The boys ______________ at the ballpark.
5.   Could I ______________ for dessert?
6.   Believe it or not, my father has never ______________.
7.   Grandmother and Grandfather were married for over sixty years, and they never ______________.
8.   Did Jack’s wife ______________ yet?
9.   Welcome to Hawaii. Did you ______________?
10.   I hope the newlyweds ______________ for their honeymoon.

Exercises. Describe what these people are doing, using the correct form of have with a phrase from the list.

Example:

(a picnic) ==> They’re having a picnic.

a birthday
a cup of coffee
a glass of milk
a good time
a physical
a snack
fun

1. She’s _________

2. They’re _____________

3. He’s _____________

4. She’s _____________

5. They’re _____________

6. She’s _____________

7. The baby’s _____________

have (possession)

Crossword – Irregular Verbs 13 (Solution)

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Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 36 (Solution)

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Crossword – TOEFL 10 (Solution)

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Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 35 (Solution)

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Crossword – Irregular Verbs 12 (Solution)

Posted on 2013/01/28

Grammar Basics: Unit 58 – Do and make (Solution)

Posted on 2013/01/25

Exercises. Complete the sentences, using make/making/made or do/doing/did.

Example:

What did you _______ on your vacation? ==> What did you do on your vacation?

1.   The boys made a lot of trouble for the substitute teacher.
2.   The dessert tasted fabulous! Did you make it yourself?
3.   The children are being pretty quiet – go and check what they are doing.
4.   Peter did well on his biology test.
5.   What did I do to deserve his rude treatment?
6.   On Mother’s Day, Father did the dishes for Mother.
7.   Grandmother made Aunt Polly’s wedding dress.
8.   When you cleaned the living room, I hope you remembered to do the windows.
9.   You’d better behave – I don’t want you making trouble for the babysitter.
10.   Aunt Sally really made a fuss over Jimmy when he got sick with the measles.

Exercises. Look at the following pictures and describe what the people are doing, using either doing or making.

Example:

He is making a list.

1. They are doing laundry.

2. He is taking a picture.

3. She is making bread.

4. He is making a phone call.

5. She is doing the dishes.

6. He is making a picture.

7. She is making a face.

8. She is making a sock.

9. They are making a movie.

10. She is doing homework.

11. She is making the bed.

Exercises. Write make or do in the correct form.

Example:

He _______ his bed, now he must lie in it. ==> He made his bed, now he must lie in it. (an English idiom, meaning that a person must accept the consequences of his actions, rather than complain about them)

1.   Grandmother found doing the dishes to be relaxing.
2.   Mother does the gardening in the early morning, before it gets too hot.
3.   Every Thanksgiving, Mother and her sisters would get together and make a huge turkey dinner.
4.   You’d better clean up the mess that the puppies made in the living room.
5.   I don’t think I can make change for a five-dollar bill.
6.   Karen always makes her bed before she eats breakfast.
7.   To get ready for the test, Jack did all the review exercises for Chapter 6.
8.   Edward makes beautiful music whenever he plays his violin.
9.   Sally hates doing the laundry. It’s so boring.
10.   I’m not doing you any favors if I do all your homework for you!
11.   Jack made a face when the dentist told him he shouldn’t eat so much candy.
12.   It doesn’t matter whether you win or lose the tennis match, as long as you do your best.

Grammar Basics: Unit 58 – Do and make

Posted on 2013/01/24

“do” is a word that is often used for actions:

Examples:

What are you doing? (Not “What are you making?”)
Have you washed the dishes? –Not yet, but I’ll do it later.
What do you usually do on vacation?
I’m bored – there’s nothing to do.

“make” is used when we are referring to producing or creating something.

Examples:

Grandmother made bacon and eggs for breakfast.
Jack is going to make a model car for the Pinewood Derby.
Everybody knows that Santa’s elves make all the toys in their workshop at the North Pole.

Here are some expressions using “do”:

do (somebody) a favor: Can you do me a favor? I need some stamps from the post office.
do (your) best: My parents always told me not to stress over an exam, but just to do my best.
do an exercise: Sarah does yoga every morning before work.
do homework: Tom does homework for two hours every day after school.
do housework: Aunt Elsa hates doing housework, so Uncle Steve has a cleaning lady come twice a week.
do the dishes: It’s Eddie’s turn to do the dishes this week, isn’t it?
do the laundry: The worst part about going on vacation is you have to do the laundry when you get back home.

Here are some expressions using “make”:

make (a) noise: Shhh – don’t make a noise. I’m hunting rabbits.
make a bed: We were taught to make our bed every morning before coming down for breakfast.
make a face: Joshua made a face at the teacher while her back was turned.
make a fuss: You don’t have to make a fuss over me – just treat me like one of the family.
make a list: Santa Claus is making a list, and checking it twice – he’s going to find out who’s naughty and nice.
make a mess: The teacher scolded the children for making a mess in the cafeteria.
make a mistake: Oh, I must have made a mistake – Mr. Smith’s address is 305 Main Street, not 503.
make a phone call: Will you excuse me for a moment? I have to make an important phone call at 3 o’clock.
make an appointment: Father has a toothache, so Mother made an appointment for him to see the dentist tomorrow afternoon.
make change: Can you make change for a dollar?
make trouble: I don’t want to make trouble for you, but we have to do something about the dead tree in the back yard.

Note: “make a picture” is used only to refer to painting or drawing. Also, movies are “made,” but photographs are “taken” – “make a movie,” “take a picture”:

Charlie made a wonderful picture in art class today.
The movie “Gone With the Wind” was made in 1939.
Be sure to take lots of pictures on your vacation to the Grand Canyon.

Exercises. Complete the sentences, using make/making/made or do/doing/did.

Example:

What did you _______ on your vacation? ==> What did you do on your vacation?

1.   The boys _______ a lot of trouble for the substitute teacher.
2.   The dessert tasted fabulous! Did you _______ it yourself?
3.   The children are being pretty quiet – go and check what they are _______.
4.   Peter _______ well on his biology test.
5.   What did I _______ to deserve his rude treatment?
6.   On Mother’s Day, Father _______ the dishes for Mother.
7.   Grandmother _______ Aunt Polly’s wedding dress.
8.   When you cleaned the living room, I hope you remembered to _______ the windows.
9.   You’d better behave – I don’t want you _______ trouble for the babysitter.
10.   Aunt Sally really _______ a fuss over Jimmy when he got sick with the measles.

Exercises. Look at the following pictures and describe what the people are doing, using either doing or making.

Example:

He is making a list.

10.

11.

Exercises. Write make or do in the correct form.

Example:

He _______ his bed, now he must lie in it. ==> He made his bed, now he must lie in it. (an English idiom, meaning that a person must accept the consequences of his actions, rather than complain about them)

1.   Grandmother found _______ the dishes to be relaxing.
2.   Mother _______ the gardening in the early morning, before it gets too hot.
3.   Every Thanksgiving, Mother and her sisters would get together and _______ a huge turkey dinner.
4.   You’d better clean up the mess that the puppies _______ in the living room.
5.   I don’t think I can _______ change for a five-dollar bill.
6.   Karen always _______ her bed before she eats breakfast.
7.   To get ready for the test, Jack _______ all the review exercises for Chapter 6.
8.   Edward _______ beautiful music whenever he plays his violin.
9.   Sally hates _______ the laundry. It’s so boring.
10.   I’m not _______ you any favors if I _______ all your homework for you!
11.   Jack _______ a face when the dentist told him he shouldn’t eat so much candy.
12.   It doesn’t matter whether you win or lose the tennis match, as long as you _______ your best.

Grammar Basics: Unit 57 – Get (Solution)

Posted on 2013/01/23

Exercises. Complete the following sentences, using “get/gets” with a phrase from the list.

Example:

Jack will ____________ if he doesn’t slow down. (a speeding ticket) ==> Jack will get a speeding ticket if he doesn’t slow down.

1.   Did you get a birthday card for John?
2.   Every winter Aunt Martha gets the flu.
3.   I hope I get an “A” on the test!
4.   You can get a good chicken sandwich at that restaurant.
5.   Whenever Father goes to the store, he gets a candy bar for us.
6.   Hello, operator – could you get me the police?
7.   I want to get a new camera for my birthday.
8.   That’s a nice haircut. Where did you get it?

Exercises. Complete the following sentences, using “getting” with a word from the list.

Example:

Please close the window. It’s ____________ in here. (cold) ==> Please close the window. It’s getting cold in here.

1.   Did you hear the news? Tom and Becky are getting married next month.
2.   I’m getting tired. Let’s sit down and take a break.
3.   If you’re getting bored, you can watch some TV.
4.   With all the change in the weather lately, I think I’m getting sick.
5.   Let me know if you’re getting hot, and I’ll turn on the air conditioning.
6.   Well, it’s getting late, so we’ll be heading home now.
7.   The children were getting frustrated with the problem, so the teacher gave them a hint.
8.   When it starts getting dark, close the curtains and turn on the lights.

Exercises. Complete the following sentences, using “get/got” with a word from the list.

Example:

Dad ____________ when he saw the dent on the car door. (mad) ==> Dad got mad when he saw the dent on the car door.

1.   I didn’t like that book at first, but it got better after the first few chapters.
2.   The teacher will get angry if you tell her you didn’t do your homework.
3.   It’s time to get dressed and go to the party.
4.   If you get hungry, help yourself to the food in the refrigerator.
5.   I always got nervous whenever I had to play a solo in a piano recital.
6.   My grandparents got married over fifty years ago.
7.   Take the laundry off the clothesline before it rains so it doesn’t get wet.
8.   Grandmother’s illness caused her to get old prematurely.
9.   Cathy has a GPS in her car, but she still managed to get lost on her way to the restaurant.
10.   I heard you have the flu. I hope you get well soon.

Exercises. Write sentences with “I left…and got to ….”

Example:

(home / 8:00 –> school / 8:45) ==> I left home at 8:00 and got to school at 8:45.

1.   I left the train station at 4:30 and got to the coffee shop at 4:40.
2.   I left the park at 10:15 and got to the post office at 10:35.
3.   I left the party at 11:30 and got home after midnight.

Exercises. Complete the sentences, using “got in / got out / got on / got off.”

Example:

Jack ____________ the bus for the airport. ==> Jack got on the bus for the airport.

1.   After we got off the plane, Martin discovered he had lost his passport.
2.   John got in the car and went to the store.
3.   The man got out of his car and began yelling at the rowdy boys.
4.   Today a strange man got on the train and played a tuba.