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The verb HAVE / HAVE GOT is one
of the most common verbs in English and can be used in so many
different ways that it can be confusing at times. Let us revise
its grammar with example sentences... |
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HAVE |
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Use have as a main verb for possession.
Have with this meaning is a stative (non-action) verb and is not
used in continuous tenses. You can use auxiliaries do / did
to make questions and negatives. |
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1. |
Mr Dessy
has a
luxurious country house in New York. |
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2. |
Does your
sister have
a baby girl? |
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Use have + object as a main verb for actions,
e.g. have a bath, a drink, a chat, etc. Have with this
meaning is a dynamic (action) verb and can be used in continuous tenses. |
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3. |
He
doesn't have
dinner at home. |
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4. |
Are you
having
breakfast? |
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Use have as the auxiliary verb to form the
present perfect simple and continuous. Make questions by inverting
have and the subject, and negatives with haven't / hasn't.
We also use have for other perfect forms, e.g. the future perfect,
the perfect infinitive, etc. |
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5. |
They
have been
married for 15 years. |
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6. |
How long
has Anna
been
going out with James? |
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Use have to when you want to express
obligation, especially obligation imposed by others, and rules and
regulations. Have to is a main verb. |
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7. |
Do we have to
spend Christmas with your parents again? |
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8. |
Does your
wife have to
work today? |
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Use have + object + past participle to say
that you ask or pay another person to do something for you. Have
here is a main verb, not an auxiliary verb, e.g. Where do you have
your hair cut? |
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9. |
We're going to
have the
kitchen
repainted next week. |
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10. |
I
had my
eyes tested
when I got my new glasses. |
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HAVE GOT |
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You can also use have got for possession. The
meaning is exactly the same as have. And now pay attention to
this:
a) Have here is an auxiliary verb so make questions by inverting
have and the subject and negatives with haven't /
hasn't.
b) Have got has a present meaning. We use had for the past,
NOT had got .
c) Have got is very common in informal spoken and written
English. |
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1. |
How many children
have they got?
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2. |
I've
got three children, two boys and a girl. |
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Use have got to to express obligation,
especially in informal spoken and written English. Have got to is
normally used for a specific obligation rather than a general or
repeated obligation. Compare:
I've got to make a phone call >> specific.
I have to wear a suit to work >> general. |
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3. |
I've
got to go now - I'm meeting my girlfriend for
lunch. |
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4. |
You have to
keep on practising listening. |
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On the next page you will be able to practise
this grammar. |
Pulsa este
ícono
para abrir y
consultar
las
respuestas correctas.
