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 ~?
or
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
or
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 _____________
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