The usage of “have” and “have got” often stirs up confusion among learners. Are they interchangeable? Do they convey the same meaning? Understanding the subtleties between these two expressions can significantly enhance one’s grasp of the language. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the nuances of “have” and “have got,” unraveling their usage in different contexts.
Have and have got (= for possession, relationships, illnesses etc.)
You can use have or have got. There is no differrence 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 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)
In questions and negative sentences there are three possible form:
| Do you have any questions? Have you got any questions? Have you any questions? (less usual) Does she have a car? Has she got a car? Has she a car? (less usual) | I don’t have any questions. I haven’t got any questions. I haven’t any questions, (less usual) She doesn’t have a car. She hasn’t got a car. 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?
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?
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