Have vs. have got! Learn the difference between have and have got in English with examples and ESL picture.
Table of Contents
Have vs. Have Got
How to Use Have
Have is a causative verb in English.
Positive Sentence:
S + have/has
Negative Sentence:
S + do not (don’t)/does not (doesn’t)+ have
Question Form:
Do/Does + S + have…?
How to Use Have Got
Positive Sentence:
S + have got (‘ve got)/has got (‘s got)
Negative Sentence:
S + have not (haven’t) /has not (hasn’t) + got
Question Form:
Have/Has + S + got…?
When to Use Have vs. Have Got
- To talk about the things we possess
Examples:
I have/have got a new mobile phone.
Paul doesn’t have/hasn’t got a car.
- To talk about our relationships with other people
Example:
Jane has/has got a brother.
- To talk about what we look like
Example:
She has/has got blue eyes.
- To talk about sickness or temporary state
Examples:
I have/ I’ve got a cold.
They have/have got a problem.
Difference Between Have vs. Have Got
- Use have (not have got) to talk about things we do (meals, holidays…) and with a bath, a shower, or a wash.
Examples:
I have a cup of coffee at seven o’clock.
Do you normally have a big breakfast?
Have a good holiday!
She’s having a shower at the moment.
I always have a wash before I go out.
- We don’t use got in short answers:
Example:
A: Have you got a dog?
B: No, I haven’t.
A good joke from a British grammarian to illustrate the use of ‘have’ and ‘have got’.
American Professor: Do you have children?
British Professor: Yes, every year.
Thanks for the lesson