In this lesson we’re looking at how to use HAVE and HAVE GOT in English.
Make sure you’re comfortable with The Present Simple and The Present Perfect Simple before starting this lesson.
Have fun with the lesson, and don’t forget to try the quizzes by clicking on their links below
– James.
Lesson Contents
What’s the difference between HAVE and HAVE GOT?
HAVE or HAVE GOT can both be used to talk about possessions, relationships, illnesses etc:
HAVE GOT
We‘ve got a great TV.
She has got a headache.
James has got two sisters.
HAVE
We have a great TV.
She has a headache.
James has two sisters.
For the past, we have to use HAD (without GOT):
Bob had a stomach ache last night.
Questions and negative sentences
Let’s look at lots of examples of questions and negative sentences with HAVE and HAVE GOT.
Questions with HAVE GOT:
Has she got her glasses?
Have you got enough time?
Has James got a bike?
Questions with HAVE:
Does she have her glasses?
Do you have enough time?
Does James have a bike?
Negative sentences with HAVE GOT:
She hasn’t got her glasses.
We haven’t got much time.
James hasn’t got a bike.
Negative sentences with HAVE:
She doesn’t have her glasses.
We don’t have enough time.
James doesn’t have enough time.
Sometimes you will hear sentences like this:
I haven’t enough time.
Have you a bike?
These sentences leave out the verb. These types of sentences are becoming less and less used in English, so it’s better to not use them.
With the past, we always use DID/DID’T (without GOT):
They didn’t have any tomatoes.
HAVE with experiences
We normally use HAVE (without GOT) when we talk about actions or experiences. Have a look at these examples:
I have sausages every Tuesday.
(not “I have got sausages every Tuesday.”)
She has a rest when she gets home.
(not “She has got a rest when she gets home.”)
We always have fun at the beach.
(not “We always have got fun at the beach.”)
Recap
- HAVE or HAVE GOT can both be used to talk about possessions, relationships, illnesses etc.
- For the past, we have to use HAD.
- We normally use HAVE when we talk about actions or experiences.
