have
A1Universal across all registers, from formal to slang.
Definition
Meaning
To possess, own, or hold something; to experience or undergo something; used as an auxiliary verb to form perfect tenses.
Can indicate obligation ('have to'), causation ('have someone do something'), consumption or taking ('have breakfast'), social arrangements ('have a party'), and various idiomatic states.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Functions as a lexical verb with full meaning (possession, experience) and as a grammatical auxiliary (perfect aspect). Its meaning is highly context-dependent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English more commonly uses 'have got' for possession in present tense, especially in informal speech. American English prefers simple 'have'. UK: 'Have you got a pen?'; US: 'Do you have a pen?'. In causative structures, UK sometimes uses 'have something done' more explicitly.
Connotations
'Have got' can sound slightly informal or childish in American English. In British English, it is standard informal usage.
Frequency
The auxiliary 'have' (perfect tenses) is used identically. The lexical verb shows the 'have got' divergence, making 'do'-support questions ('Do you have...?') noticeably more frequent in American data.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP have NP] (I have a car)[NP have to VP] (I have to go)[NP have NP VP] (I had him fix it)[NP have NP Ved/V3] (I had my car fixed)[AUX have Ved/V3] (I have finished)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “have a ball”
- “have a bee in one's bonnet”
- “have it in for someone”
- “have the upper hand”
- “have second thoughts”
- “have a chip on one's shoulder”
- “have a field day”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for obligations ('We have to meet the deadline'), possessions ('The company has assets'), and arrangements ('We're having a conference call').
Academic
Primarily as an auxiliary for perfect tenses to indicate anteriority ('Studies have shown...'). Also, 'to have implications/effects'.
Everyday
Ubiquitous for possession, activities, meals, and states: 'I have two brothers', 'Let's have a coffee', 'I have a headache'.
Technical
In computing: 'The system has a bug'. In law: 'to have custody'. In medicine: 'The patient has a fever'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I've got a new bicycle.
- We haven't any milk left, I'm afraid.
- She's having her house painted next week.
- Have you got a moment?
American English
- I have a new bike.
- We don't have any milk left.
- She's getting her house painted next week.
- Do you have a minute?
adverb
British English
- N/A (not standard). A non-standard example might be in 'I should have known' pronounced 'should've', but it's a verb contraction.
American English
- N/A (not standard).
adjective
British English
- The haves and have-nots.
- It's a have situation, not a want situation.
American English
- The haves and have-nots.
- It's a have situation, not a want situation.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a dog and a cat.
- She has brown hair.
- We have lunch at one o'clock.
- They have a big house.
- I've already had a reply from the manager.
- You have to show your passport at check-in.
- He had his wallet stolen on the bus.
- Have you ever been to Paris?
- The government has been having difficulties implementing the new policy.
- Had I known about the delay, I would have taken a later train.
- She's having second thoughts about accepting the job offer.
- The theory has it that early exposure shapes cognitive development.
- He'll have had his interview by now, I should imagine.
- They are having the manuscript peer-reviewed before publication.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a hand (H) holding an apple (A) very (V) eagerly (E). The hand HAS the apple.
Conceptual Metaphor
POSSESSION IS HOLDING (have an idea); EXPERIENCE IS CONSUMPTION (have a bad time); OBLIGATION IS A BURDEN (have to carry); STATES ARE CONTAINERS (have the flu).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating Russian 'у меня есть' literally as 'at me is'. Use 'I have'.
- In perfect tenses, Russian often uses past tense. Remember English requires 'have' + past participle: 'I have seen' not 'I saw' (if relevance is to present).
- Russian 'надо'/'должен' often translates to 'have to'/'must', not a form of 'have' alone.
- In causative 'have something done', Russian may use a different construction; do not say 'I repaired my car' when you mean you caused the repair ('I had my car repaired').
Common Mistakes
- *I have 20 years old. (Correct: I am 20 years old.)
- *I have hungry. (Correct: I am hungry.)
- *She has not a car. (Correct: She doesn't have a car. / She hasn't got a car.)
- *Did you had breakfast? (Correct: Did you have breakfast?)
- *I had my hair cutted. (Correct: I had my hair cut.)
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'have' to express causation?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Have to' often expresses external obligation (rules, laws). 'Must' expresses internal obligation or strong recommendation. In practice, they are often interchangeable, especially in American English, though 'must' can sound stronger or more formal.
Yes, it is perfectly correct, especially in British English, for present tense possession. It is considered more informal than simple 'have'. In American English, it is less common and can sound informal or colloquial.
As a main verb meaning 'possess': Use 'do'-support in AmE (Do you have? / I don't have). In BrE, you can use 'have got' (Have you got? / I haven't got) or 'do'-support. As an auxiliary for perfect tenses, invert for questions (Have you seen?) and add 'not' for negatives (I have not seen).
It is a causative structure meaning to arrange for someone else to do something for you. Example: 'I had my hair cut' means I went to the hairdresser; they cut it, I did not cut it myself.
Collections
Part of a collection
Daily Verbs
A1 · 50 words · Essential action words used in everyday conversation.