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Beginner's English: Have,

Have got

The differences between 'have' and


'have got' can be confusing for
beginners. Here is a guide the two
forms.
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 o'clock. NOT I usually have
got breakfast at 8 o'clock.
The question and negative forms for 'have' follow regular present
simple:
Example: Do you have a fast car? NOT Have you a fast car? - She
doesn't have time NOT She hasn't time.
'Have' and 'Have got' (possession) 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 got'
Example: I have a red bicycle. OR I've got a red bicycle. NOT I've a
red bicycle.
Here is a grammar chart showing
the construction of the two forms:
Positive I, You, We, They HAVE GOT Question I, You, We, They HAVE
Subject + have + got + objects (?) + do + subject + have?
They have got a new car. Contracted: How many children do you have? There is
They've got a new car. no contracted form
Positive He, She, It HAVE GOT Question He, She, It HAVE
Subject + has + got + objects (?) + does + subject + have?
He has got a new car. Contracted: He's got How many children does he have? There is
a new car. no contracted form
Positive I, You, We, They HAVE Negative I, You, We, They HAVE GOT
Subject + have + objects Subject + have + not + got + objects
They have a new car. There is no contracted We have not got a dog. Contraction: We
form haven't got a dog.
Positive He, She, It HAVE Negative He, She, It HAVE GOT
Subject + have + objects Subject + has + not + got + objects
She has a new car. There is no contracted She has not got a dog. Contraction: She
form hasn't got a dog.
Question I, You, We, They HAVE GOT Negative I, You, We, They HAVE
(?) + have + subject + got? Subject + do + not + have + objects
How many children have you got? There is They do not have a dog. Contraction: They
no contracted form don't have a dog.
Question He, She, It HAVE GOT Negative He, She, It HAVE GOT
(?) + has + subject + got? Subject + does + not + have + objects
How many children has he got? There is no She does not have a dog. Contraction: She
contracted form doesn't have a dog.
Check your understanding with this:
Have and Have Got - Quiz
Peter ______________ a beautiful new house in the
countryside.
has OR has got
__________________________ (she) any children?
Does she have OR Has she got
I __________ a fantastic apartment in New York when I
lived there.
had
Tom __________ a shower at the moment. Can you call
back later?
is having
I'm afraid we _____________________ enough space
in the garage.
havent got OR dont have
My son _________________ breakfast before he goes
to school.
has OR doesnt have
I think she __________ a new job soon.
will have
________________ (you) dinner early or late?
Do you have
_____________ (you) time to see me tomorrow
afternoon?
Will you have
They usually _____________ a lot of free time during
the summer.
have OR have got

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