Luyện ngữ pháp - English Grammar in Use - Intermediate ((Unit 17: Have and have got))


Have and have got

A

Have and have got (= for possession, relationships, illnesses etc.)

You can use have or have got. There is no difference in meaning:
  • They have a new car. or They've got a new car.
  • Lisa has two brothers. or Lisa's got two brothers.
  • I have a headache. or I've got a headache.
  • Our house has a small garden. or Our house has got a small garden.
  • He has a few problems. or He's got a few problems.

With these meanings (possession etc.), you cannot use continuous forms (am having etc.):
  • We're enjoying our holiday. We have / We've got a nice room in the hotel. (not We're having a nice room)

For the past we use had (without got):
  • Lisa had long hair when she was a child. (not Lisa had got)
B

In questions and negative sentences there are three possible forms:

Do you have any questions? I don't have any questions.
Have you got any questions? I haven't got any questions.
Have you any questions? (less usual) I haven't any questions. (less usual)
Does she have a car? She doesn't have a car.
Has she got a car? She hasn't got a car.
Has she a car? (less usual) She hasn't a car. (less usual)

In past questions and negative sentences we use did/didn't:
  • Did you have a car when you were living in Paris?
  • I didn't have my phone, so I couldn't call you.
  • Lisa had long hair, didn't she?
C

Have breakfast / have a shower / have a good time etc.

We also use have (but not have got) for many actions and experiences. For example:
have breakfast / dinner / a cup of coffee / something to eat etc.
a bath / a shower / a swim / a break / a rest / a party / a holiday an accident / an experience / a dream
a look (at something)
a chat / a conversation / a discussion (with somebody)
trouble / difficulty / fun / a good time etc.
a baby (= give birth to a baby)

Have got is not possible in the expressions in the box. Compare:
  • Sometimes I have (= eat) a sandwich for my lunch. (not I've got)
    but I've got / I have some sandwiches. Would you like one?

You can use continuous forms (am having etc.) with the expressions in the box:
  • We're enjoying our holiday. We're having a great time. (not We have)
  • Mark is having a shower at the moment. He has a shower every day.

In questions and negative sentences we use do/does/did:
  • I don't usually have a big breakfast. (not I usually haven't)
  • What time does Chris have lunch? (not has Chris lunch)
  • Did you have trouble finding a place to live?
Exercises - 17.1


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