Have vs. Have Got: Difference Between Have & Have Got

Last updated on August 3, 2024 by Grammargeek

Understanding the difference between “have” and “have got” can be a bit tricky at first, but it’s quite simple once you get the hang of it. Both are commonly used to denote possession, but the way we use them can vary.

By knowing when to use each form, you’ll improve your grasp of everyday language. Let’s explore the variations in meanings, usages, examples, practice applications to master the nuances better.

Have vs. Have Got: Understanding the Differences

Have vs. Have Got
Have vs. Have Got – Created by 7ESL

“Have” and “Have Got” both describe possession or ownership but are used differently in grammar.

Definition of “Have”

“Have” is a verb that means to own, possess, or hold something. It is more formal and frequently used in both spoken and written English. For example, you might say, “I have a new book” or “She has a car.”

Have conjugates as follows:

  • I/We/You/They have
  • He/She/It has
  • I/We/You/They had (past tense)
  • He/She/It had (past tense)

In questions and negative sentences, you often use a helper verb: Do you have a pen? or She does not have a car.

Definition of “Have Got”

“Have Got” also means to own, possess, or hold something. It is more informal, often found in spoken English or casual writing. It’s more common in British English. For instance, you would say, “I have got a new book” or “She has got a car.”

Have Got conjugates as follows:

  • I/You/We/They have got
  • He/She/It has got
  • I/You/We/They had got (less common, past tense)
  • He/She/It had got (less common, past tense)

In questions and negative sentences: Have you got a pen? or She has not got a car.

Grammatical Structure Comparison

Have and Have Got share a similar meaning but differ in structure. Have needs an auxiliary verb for questions and negatives. Have Got does not need an extra helper verb and uses inversion for questions.

Consider these examples:

  • Have: Do you have time? She does not have money.
  • Have Got: Have you got time? She has not got money.

Use Have in more formal contexts and Have Got when speaking informally with friends or family to suit the tone and setting. Both are widely understood and correct.

Have vs. Have Got: Usages and Examples

“Have” and “have got” are both used to show possession or necessity. They can often be used interchangeably, but there are some differences.

Possession:

When talking about something you own, you can use either “have” or “have got.”

  • I have a cat.
  • I have got a cat.

Both sentences mean the same thing.

Necessity:

To express necessity, “have to” and “have got to” are used.

  • I have to finish my homework.
  • I have got to finish my homework.

Again, both convey the same idea.

Short Answers:

For short answers, “have got” is more common in British English.

  • Have you got a pen?
    • Yes, I have.
    • No, I haven’t.

In American English, “do you have” is more common.

  • Do you have a pen?
    • Yes, I do.
    • No, I don’t.

Questions:

When forming questions, use “have” in American English and “have got” in British English.

  • Do you have a dog? (American)
  • Have you got a dog? (British)

Contractions:

  • I’ve got a book.
  • I haven’t got any money.

Using contractions like “I’ve” and “haven’t” is common in casual speech.

Emphasis:

“Have got” is more emphatic.

  • You’ve got to see this!

Use “have got” when you want to add emphasis to your statement.

Each form has its place, and knowing when to use each helps you sound fluent.

Practice and Application

Multiple Choice

  1. I (A) have (B) have got a meeting scheduled for tomorrow.
  2. Do you (A) have (B) have got any siblings?
  3. They (A) have (B) have got to finish their homework before they can play video games.
  4. We (A) have (B) have got plenty of time to get to the airport.
  5. She doesn’t (A) have (B) have got a clue about the surprise party.
  6. You (A) have (B) have got to see the new exhibit at the museum; it’s fantastic!
  7. They (A) have (B) have got three dogs and two cats at their house.
  8. I (A) have (B) have got a strong feeling that we’re going the wrong way.
  9. Do we (A) have (B) have got milk in the fridge, or should I buy some?
  10. He (A) have (B) have got a lot of experience in the field of engineering.

Answers

  1. A) have
  2. A) have
  3. A) have
  4. A) have
  5. A) have
  6. B) have got
  7. B) have got
  8. B) have got
  9. B) have got
  10. B) have got

Frequently Asked Questions

Can ‘have got’ be used in the past tense?

No, ‘have got’ is only used in the present tense to express possession. For the past tense, you would only use ‘had’.

When do we use ‘have’ and ‘have got’ in questions and negatives?

For questions and negatives in British English, ‘have’ can be used with ‘do/does’ (Do you have…? I do not have…), while ‘have got’ follows the pattern of ‘have/has’ + subject + ‘got’ (Have you got…? I haven’t got…).

Is ‘have got’ acceptable in formal writing?

It is generally better to use ‘have’ in formal writing. ‘Have got’ is more suitable for informal contexts.

Usage ‘Have’ ‘Have got’
Statements I have a car. I have got a car.
Questions Do you have a pen? Have you got a pen?
Negatives She does not have a brother. She hasn’t got a brother.

Can ‘have’ and ‘have got’ be used interchangeably?

While they can often be used to mean the same thing when talking about possession, ‘have’ is generally preferred in American English, and they should not be used interchangeably in the past tense or when ‘have’ is used as part of a phrase (e.g., to have breakfast).

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