Have / Have got

Welcome to your HAVE / HAVE GOT lesson! In this topic we talk about:

• What’s the difference between HAVE and HAVE GOT?

• Questions and negative sentences.

• HAVE with experiences.

Take the quizzes when you’re ready! If you’re having problems, use the comment box to contact our English Teachers.

What’s the difference between HAVE and HAVE GOT?

HAVE or HAVE GOT can both be used to talk about possessions, relationships, illnesses etc:

For the past, we have to use HAD (without GOT):

Bob had a stomach ache last night.

Questions and negative sentences

Sometimes you will hear sentences like this:

I haven’t enough time.

Have you a bike?

These sentences leave out the verb. These types of sentences are becoming less and less used in English, so it’s better to not use them.

With the past, we always use “did/didn’t” (without “got”);

They didn’t have any tomatoes.

HAVE with experiences

We normally use HAVE (without GOT) when we talk about actions or experiences. Have a look at these examples:

I have sausages every Tuesday.
(not “I have got sausages every Tuesday.”)

She has a rest when she gets home.
(not “She has got a rest when she gets home.”)

We always have fun at the beach.
(not “We always have got fun at the beach.”)

Recap

• HAVE or HAVE GOT can both be used to talk about possessions, relationships, illnesses etc.
• For the past, we have to use HAD.
• We normally use HAVE when we talk about actions or experiences.