Learn the Use of Have in English

Students of English will eventually both have and have got to express possession. Both forms can express what we own, but also the relationships we have. For example, I have / have got a car and a father. Beginning level students should also know that have is preferred in US English, and have got is much more common in British English. Finally, the fact that US English often uses gotten as the participle for various verbs including phrasal verbs with get, but will also use have got when expressing possession can further confuse students. This guide provides examples of the various uses of both forms. The differences between have and have got can be confusing for beginners. Here is a guide the two forms. When you finish reviewing, try the quiz  to check your understanding. Remember these important points: Have and Have got are used for possession.Example: Jack has got a beautiful house. OR Jack has a beautiful house.Only have is used when talking about actions.Example: I usually have breakfast at 8 oclock. NOT I usually have got breakfast at 8 oclock.The question form for have follows regular present simple:Example: Do you have a fast car? NOT Have you a fast car?Have and Have got are only used in the present simple. Use have for the past simple or future forms.Example: She had a copy of that book.There is no contracted form for Have in the positive form. The contracted form is used for have gotExample: I have a red bicycle. OR Ive got a red bicycle. NOT Ive a red bicycle. Here is a grammar chart showing the construction of the two forms: Forms With Have Got Have got is used both British and American English but is more common in British English. Note that have got is used for possession in American English, but that gotten is used for as the past participle for other uses of get. Subject Positive Form Negative Form Question Form I, You, We, They Subject + have + got + objects - contracted form: ve got They have got a new car. Ive got a number of friends in Los Angeles. Subject + have + not + got + objects - contracted form: havent got We have not got a dog. They havent got time to meet today. (? word) + have + subject + got? How many children have you got? Have we got enough time today? He, She, It Subject + has + got + objects - contracted form: s got He has got a new car. Its got red stripes and yellow stars. Subject + has + not + got + objects - contracted form: hasnt got She has not got a dog. It hasnt got any spots on it (? word) + has + subject + got? How many children has he got? Has it got any gas in the tank? Forms With Have Have is more common in American English when speaking about possession. However, have got, as mentioned before, is also used in American English for possession.   Subject Positive Form Negative Form Question Form I, You, We, They Subject + have + objects - no contracted formThey have a new car. We have classes on Friday. Subject + do + not + have + objects - contracted form: dont have They do not have a dog.We dont have time for lunch now. (? word) + do + subject + have?How many children do you have? Do we have any pasta left? He, She, It Subject + have + objects - no contracted formShe has a new car.He has three children. Subject + does + not + have + objects - contracted form: doesnt haveShe does not have a dog. He doesnt have any friends in town. (? word) + does + subject + have?How many children does he have? Does she have a vacation this month? Note: Sometimes the irregular form Have you a car/house/etc. is used in antiquated (older) forms of British English