Use have or have got, with no difference in meaning, for possession, relationships, illnesses and appointments. Use have alone, never have got, for things you do or experience: have breakfast, have a shower, have a good time.
A have and have got: possession, family, illness, appointments
For possession, relationships, illnesses and appointments you can use have or have got. The meaning is identical; only the length differs.
| have | have got |
|---|---|
| We have a new boiler. | We've got a new boiler. |
| Joel has three sisters. | Joel has got three sisters. |
| I have earache. | I've got earache. |
| The flat has a tiny balcony. | The flat has got a tiny balcony. |
| She has a dentist's appointment at four. | She's got a dentist's appointment at four. |
With these meanings, do not use continuous forms (I'm having and so on).
For the past, use had, normally without got.
- We're loving the cottage. We have a view of the whole bay. (not We're having a view)
- We've got a view of the whole bay.
- My grandad had a moustache when he was young. (not had got)
B Questions and negatives
In present questions and negatives there are three possible forms. The third is less usual and sounds rather old-fashioned.
| Question | Negative |
|---|---|
| Do you have a ticket? | I don't have a ticket. |
| Have you got a ticket? | I haven't got a ticket. |
| Have you a ticket? (less usual) | I haven't a ticket. (less usual) |
| Does he have a bike? | He doesn't have a bike. |
| Has he got a bike? | He hasn't got a bike. |
| Has he a bike? (less usual) | He hasn't a bike. (less usual) |
In past questions and negatives, use did / didn't.
- Did you have a dog when you lived on the farm?
- I didn't have any cash, so I couldn't pay for the parking.
- Your mum had a red Mini once, didn't she?
C have breakfast, have a shower, have a good time
We also use have, but not have got, for things we do or experience:
| Area | Expressions |
|---|---|
| Food and drink | have breakfast / lunch / tea / a cup of coffee / something to eat |
| Rest and leisure | have a bath / a shower / a swim / a break / a rest / a party / a holiday |
| Events | have an accident / an experience / a dream |
| Looking and talking | have a look (at something) / a chat / a discussion / a conversation (with somebody) |
| How it goes | have trouble / difficulty / fun / a good time |
| Birth | have a baby (give birth) |
have got is not possible in these expressions. Compare: I usually have a pie for lunch (eat) and I've got some pies in the oven (possess).
With these expressions you can use continuous forms (I'm having and so on). In questions and negatives, use do / does / did.
- We're having a brilliant time at the festival.
- "Where's Grandma?" "She's having a lie-down."
- I don't normally have lunch on a Saturday. (not I normally haven't)
- What time do you usually have tea?
- Did you have any trouble parking? (not Had you)
Exercises
17.1 Which sentence on the right follows each sentence on the left? Match them.
I can't meet you on Thursday evening.d
I can't meet you on Thursday evening. I've got a dentist's appointment.
Sorry, I can't stop and talk.
Sorry, I can't stop and talk. I've got a train to catch.
Ffion understands company accounts.
Ffion understands company accounts. She's got a degree in accountancy.
There's no need to rush.
There's no need to rush. We've got loads of time.
Their new flat is lovely and bright.
Their new flat is lovely and bright. It's got huge windows.
I'm staying off work today.
I'm staying off work today. I've got a temperature.
Can I ask you something?
Can I ask you something? I've got a question about the rota.
Marek should be in charge of the project.
Marek should be in charge of the project. He's got years of experience.
17.2 Complete the sentences using have, in the correct form.
He couldn't start the car. He didn't have the keys.
He couldn't start the car. He didn't have the keys.
Is there anything you're not sure about? Do you have any questions?
Is there anything you're not sure about? Do you have any questions?
They can't go on holiday this year. They any money.
They can't go on holiday this year. They don't have any money.
We got soaked walking home last night. We a coat.
We got soaked walking home last night. We didn't have a coat.
My brother a phone. He says he doesn't want one and wouldn't know how to use it.
My brother doesn't have a phone. He says he doesn't want one and wouldn't know how to use it.
"Excuse me, a charger I could borrow?" "Yes, of course. Here you go."
"Excuse me, do you have a charger I could borrow?" "Yes, of course. Here you go."
Work was manic yesterday. I time to stop for lunch.
Work was manic yesterday. I didn't have time to stop for lunch.
"Tell me about your cousin. any children?" "Yes, two little girls."
"Tell me about your cousin. Does she have any children?" "Yes, two little girls."
When you lived in London, a car?
When you lived in London, did you have a car?
"Where's the tin opener?" "No idea. I it."
"Where's the tin opener?" "No idea. I haven't got it."
"Your dad a fish and chip shop, he?" "That's right. Years ago, in Scarborough."
"Your dad had a fish and chip shop, didn't he?" "That's right. Years ago, in Scarborough."
17.3 Is the part in square brackets correct? Write OK if it is. If it is not, write the correct form.
I can't come on Friday. [I've got a hospital appointment.]
OK
I can't come on Friday. I've got a hospital appointment.
[Grandad had got a beard] when he was in the navy.
Grandad had a beard
Grandad had a beard when he was in the navy.
I didn't text you because [I hadn't my phone].
I didn't text you because I didn't have my phone.
"You sound terrible." "I know. [I'm having a sore throat.]"
"You sound terrible." "I know. I've got a sore throat."
Come and sit down. [I'm having a cup of tea.]
Come and sit down. I'm having a cup of tea.
I went to bed early. [I hadn't any energy.]
I went to bed early. I didn't have any energy.
It's a tiny village. [It doesn't have a post office.]
It's a tiny village. It doesn't have a post office.
How was the drive? [Had you any problems?]
How was the drive? Did you have any problems?
The doorbell rang while [I was having a bath].
The doorbell rang while I was having a bath.
When I first met Lucy, [she was having blue hair].
When I first met Lucy, she had blue hair.
Don't panic. [We have plenty of petrol.]
Don't panic. We have plenty of petrol.
What time [have you breakfast] on a weekday?
What time do you have breakfast on a weekday?
17.4 Complete the sentences. Use an expression with have, in the correct form, from the box.
have a babyhave a breakhave a chathave troublehave a showerhave a lookhave lunchhave a partyhave a nice timehave a holiday
I'm never hungry in the middle of the day. I never have lunch.
I'm never hungry in the middle of the day. I never have lunch.
Shaun starts on the building site at seven and at ten.
Shaun starts on the building site at seven and has a break at ten.
We for Mum's sixtieth on Saturday. Half the street came.
We had a party for Mum's sixtieth on Saturday. Half the street came.
My laptop keeps making a strange noise. Could you at it for me?
My laptop keeps making a strange noise. Could you have a look at it for me?
Kirsty is in Crete at the moment. I hope she .
Kirsty is in Crete at the moment. I hope she's having a nice time.
I bumped into an old friend at the market this morning, so we stopped and .
I bumped into an old friend at the market this morning, so we stopped and had a chat.
" finding the car park?" "No, it was easy."
"Did you have trouble finding the car park?" "No, it was easy."
Our neighbour last month. It's a little boy.
Our neighbour had a baby last month. It's a little boy.
I when the water suddenly went cold.
I was having a shower when the water suddenly went cold.
I need to get away somewhere. I for ages.
I need to get away somewhere. I haven't had a holiday for ages.