have in
B2Informal, occasionally formal in specific contexts (e.g., service booking).
Definition
Meaning
to invite someone to your home or place for a specific purpose, or to employ or engage someone for a short period.
To have someone present in a particular place or role; to retain or possess someone in a specific capacity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Have in" is a separable phrasal verb. Its primary meanings relate to inviting or hosting someone, or employing a tradesperson. It often implies a planned, temporary, or one-off engagement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both share core meanings. In the UK, "have someone in" (e.g., a plumber) is very common for hiring a tradesperson. In the US, "have someone over" is a more frequent alternative for a social invitation.
Connotations
Neutral to slightly informal. The 'employ/hire' sense is practical and transactional. The social 'invite' sense is warm and casual.
Frequency
More common in British English for the 'tradesperson' meaning. Social invitation use is common in both, but US speakers might prefer "have over."
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + have + [Object] + in + (for + [reason])[Subject] + have + [Object] + in + (to + [verb])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “have it in for someone (idiomatic, different meaning: to bear a grudge)”
- “have someone in your pocket (idiomatic, different meaning: to control someone)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
We should have the IT consultant in to look at the server issue.
Academic
The department had a guest speaker in for the colloquium.
Everyday
We're having some friends in for dinner on Saturday.
Technical
The landlord had a gas engineer in to service the boiler.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We must have the cleaner in before the party.
- Shall we have the neighbours in for a cuppa?
American English
- We should have a contractor in to give us an estimate.
- Let's have them in for the game on Sunday.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We had my grandparents in yesterday.
- Mum had a friend in for coffee.
- They're having a builder in to fix the roof next week.
- We should have a doctor in to check on her.
- The company had a security expert in to assess their protocols.
- I'd love to have you in to see the new flat.
- The studio regularly has musicians in to record live sessions.
- Having a critic in to preview the exhibition was a strategic move.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of physically having someone INSIDE your home or workplace for a purpose.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPACE IS A RESOURCE (bringing someone into your space for a service or social function).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "to have" (иметь). It is a distinct phrasal verb. Avoid translating as "иметь в," which would be "to have in" (a container/abstract sense). Think of it as "пригласить к себе" or "вызвать" (специалиста).
Common Mistakes
- Using "have in" for a permanent employee (use "employ" or "hire").
- Incorrect word order: "I had in the plumber" (correct: "I had the plumber in").
- Confusing with "have on" (to wear) or "have out" (to resolve a dispute).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is "have in" used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally informal for social invitations. In the context of hiring a professional (e.g., a plumber), it is standard and neutral.
"Invite" is broader (to any event/location). "Have in" specifically means to invite someone to your own home or place of work/business.
No, it implies a temporary or one-off engagement. For a permanent employee, use "hire," "employ," or "take on."
It is separable. The object pronoun goes between the verb and the particle: "We had *them* in," not "We had in them." For nouns, both "We had the plumber in" and "We had in the plumber" are possible, but the first is more common.