In this lesson, we will talk about the ‘have/have got’.
In English, we use “have” and “have got” to talk about the things we own or possess. Both “have” and “have got” are used to show possession or ownership. They mean the same thing, but they are used slightly differently.
Example Sentences:
- I have a cat.
- You have got a book.
Using “Have”
- Structure: Subject + have + object
- Example: I have a book.
“Have” is more common in American English. It’s straightforward and used in both formal and informal settings.
Using “Have Got”
- Structure: Subject + have got + object
- Example: I have got a book.
“Have got” is more common in British English. It’s often used in informal conversations.
| Subject | Positive Sentence | Negative Sentence (With negative contractions) | Question Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | I have a car. | I do not have a car. (don’t) I don’t have a car. | Do I have a car? |
| You | You have a book. | You do not have a book. (don’t) | Do you have a book? |
| He/She/It | He has a dog. | He does not have a dog. (doesn’t) | Does he have a dog? |
| We | We have a meeting. | We do not have a meeting. (don’t) | Do we have a meeting? |
| They | They have a house. | They do not have a house. (don’t) | Do they have a house? |
I don’t have a car.( short for “I do not have a car.”)
| Subject | Positive Sentence | Negative Sentence (With negative contractions) | Question Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | I have got a car. | I have not got a car. (haven’t) I haven’t got a car. | Have I got a car? |
| You | You have got a book. | You have not got a book. (haven’t) | Have you got a book? |
| He/She/It | He has got a dog. | He has not got a dog. (hasn’t) | Has he got a dog? |
| We | We have got a meeting. | We have not got a meeting. (haven’t) | Have we got a meeting? |
| They | They have got a house. | They have not got a house. (haven’t) | Have they got a house? |
How to Use Them
Affirmative Sentences:
I have a car. (American)
I have got a car. (British)
Negative Sentences:
I do not have a car. (American)
I have not got a car. (British)
Questions:
Do you have a car? (American)
Have you got a car? (British)
“Have” is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Summary
- Use “have” if you want a simple, universally understood way to express possession.
- Use “have got” if you prefer a more conversational tone, especially in British English.
Grammar Exercises
Practice online and check your results with answers.