Verb To Have helps you communicate about possession, features, relationships and events. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can use have to express possession, relationships and experiences.
- Recognise and build the form: have/has; had; have got.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use Verb To Have for possession, features, relationships and events. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
I have two brothers.
Use 'have' with the subject 'I' to express possession.
Mina has a new laptop.
Use 'has' with a singular third-person subject.
We had a meeting yesterday.
Use 'had' for possession or an event in the past.
have/has; had; have gotKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- Use 'have' with the subject 'I' to express possession.
- Use 'has' with a singular third-person subject.
- Use 'had' for possession or an event in the past.
- Use 'Have you got...?' to ask about possession.
- Use 'hasn't got' with 'he' for negative possession.
Common mistakes
Not:I has two brothers.
Use:I have two brothers.
Use 'have' with the subject 'I' to express possession.
Not:Mina have a new laptop.
Use:Mina has a new laptop.
Use 'has' with a singular third-person subject.
Not:We have a meeting yesterday.
Use:We had a meeting yesterday.
Use 'had' for possession or an event in the past.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
____ you got any questions?
Have
Use 'Have you got...?' to ask about possession.
He ____ got a car.
hasn't
Use 'hasn't got' with 'he' for negative possession.
The apartment ____ three bedrooms.
has
A singular thing takes 'has' when describing its features.