have */*/*/

strong UK [hæv] / US weak UK [əv] / US UK [həv] / US verb
Word forms "have":
present tense I/you/we/they have he/she/it has strong UK [hæz] / US weak UK [əz] / US UK [həz] / US present participle having past tense had strong UK [hæd] / US weak UK [əd] / US UK [həd] / US past participle had

Summary:

Have can be used in the following ways: - as an auxiliary verb in perfect tenses of verbs (followed by a past participle): We have lived here for 20 years. ♦ Who's eaten all the grapes? (used without a following past participle): Ellen hasn't finished, but I have. Questions, negatives, and question tags using the auxiliary verb have are formed without do: Has the meeting finished? ♦ You haven't eaten anything. ♦ The customers haven't complained, have they? - as a transitive verb used in descriptions and for talking about possession, relationships, or the state that someone or something is in: She has dark curly hair. ♦ He had two sisters. This use of have is never in progressive or passive forms. Have got is often used instead of have for these meanings, especially in spoken English and informal writing: Alan's got a new bike. Questions and negatives can be formed by using have got, have alone, or do: Have you got any money? ♦ Have you any money? ♦ Do you have any money? ♦ We haven't got any money. ♦ We haven't any money. ♦ We don't have any money. Question tags are formed with have when the main verb is have got: They've got a lovely garden, haven't they? - as a transitive verb used for talking about actions and experiences: Let's have a swim before lunch. ♦ I had a good time at the party. This use of have can sometimes be in the progressive but is almost never in the passive: She's having a baby. ♦ Are you having a drink? Have got is not used, and neither short forms of have nor weak forms of pronunciation are ever used in these meanings. Questions, negatives, and question tags are formed with do: Did you have a nice walk? ♦ I didn't have breakfast this morning. ♦ They had quite a bad accident, didn't they? - as a transitive verb (followed by an object and then a participle or infinitive without "to"): How often do you have your hair cut? ♦ I'll have someone clean out your room. This use of have can be in the progressive: I'm having all the carpets cleaned. Questions, negatives, and question tags are formed with do: Did you have the engine checked? - as a verb used for talking about what is necessary (followed by a verb in the infinitive with "to"): I had to wait for an hour. (followed by "to" without a verb in the infinitive): We'll fight for our rights if we have to. This use of have can be in the progressive: I was having to work every weekend. Have got to is often used instead of have to, especially in spoken English and in informal writing: You've got to show your passport. Questions can be formed using do, have got, or have alone: Do we have to pay now? ♦ Have we got to pay now? ♦ Have we to pay now? Negative sentences are usually formed with do or have got: You don't have to pay yet. ♦ You haven't got to pay yet. Question tags are usually formed with do: We have to take a test, don't we?
Usage note:
In conversation or informal writing the auxiliary use of have is often shortened. Have can be shortened to 've, has to 's, and had to 'd: They've already left. ♦ John's lost his ticket. ♦ I'd forgotten to tell you. These short forms can be followed by "not" to make negative sentences: I've not seen anyone. ♦ She'd not arrived. The ordinary transitive uses of have are not usually shortened, though 've and 'd forms are sometimes possible: I've a sister who lives in York. Short forms are usually used before "got": I've got an idea. ♦ Jack's got the tickets. Negative forms can also be shortened: have not can be shortened to haven't, has not can be shortened to hasn't, and had not can be shortened to hadn't.

1) [auxiliary verb, never progressive] used for forming perfect tenses

a) used for forming the perfect tenses of verbs. The perfect tenses are used for talking about what happened or began before now or another point in time

Has anybody seen Dave this afternoon?

I've been looking for you everywhere.

She hadn't eaten anything for three days.

"Has Jerry done his homework?" "No, he hasn't."

"Have you washed your hands?" "Of course I have."

We didn't get a chance to talk to her, but I wish we had.

Young Benson's done very well, hasn't he?

So, you've decided to join the party, have you?

b) had someone/something done something... used for saying that something would have happened if the situation had been different

Had I realized what you were intending to do, I would have stopped you.

2) have or have got

[transitive, never progressive] used for describing someone/something

a) used for saying what the physical features of someone or something are

Dr Morel had dark piercing eyes.

The room had a balcony facing the sea.

I noticed that the old man hadn't got any teeth.

b) used for saying what the qualities of someone's character are

Shackleton had all the qualities of a great leader.

Unfortunately, she hadn't got enough common sense to call the doctor.

have it in you/have what it takes (to do something) (= have the necessary qualities to do something):

It was Jane who led the protest. I never knew she had it in her.

Do you think Ken's got what it takes to be good doctor?

3) have or have got

[transitive, never progressive] used for showing possession

a) to own something

They have a house in Hanover Square.

If you had a computer, I could send the directions to you by email.

b) to be holding something or carrying something with you

What's that you've got in your hand?

Do you have a pen I could borrow?

have something on you:

I haven't got any money on me.

4) [transitive, never passive] do or experience something

a) to do something

have a look/walk/try etc:

Let's have a look at the damage.

I don't know if I can persuade her, but at least I can have a try.

You'll feel better when you've had a rest.

We had a meeting on Thursday afternoon.

b) used for saying that something happens to you or you experience something

We almost had an accident on the motorway.

Keith's been having a lot of problems with his computer.

Bill is going into hospital to have a knee operation.

have a good time/a bad day etc:

Did you have a good time at the party?

I've had a terrible day at the office.

have something done (= something happens to you):

While they were on holiday, they had their car broken into.

5) have or have got

[transitive, never progressive] used for stating a relationship

a) used for stating the relationship between someone and their family members

They've got two kids of their own.

She has a cousin living nearby.

b) used for stating the relationship between someone and their friends, enemies, people they work with etc

I've got a friend who works at the BBC.

Gary knew he had some dangerous enemies.

I hear you've got a new boss.

6) [transitive, never passive] eat or drink something to eat or drink something. This word is often used in polite offers and requests

Can I have another piece of that delicious cake?

Let me buy you a drink. What'll you have?

Why don't you stay and have lunch with us?

I'll have (= used for requesting food or drink in a restaurant):

I'll have the roast beef, please.

7) have or have got when you should or must do something

a) if you have to do something, you must do it because it is necessary

have to do something:

I had to leave early to collect the children from school.

If you want to use the fax machine, you'll have to ask Shirley.

We're having to be very careful not to upset our customers.

There will have to be an official investigation into the accident.

do not have to do something (= it is not necessary):

You don't have to come if you don't want to.

I'm glad we haven't got to get up early tomorrow.

b) if you have something to do, you must do it

have something to do:

Mr Klein couldn't stay – he had something to attend to.

I can't stand here talking to you all day – I have work to do.

8) have or have got

[never progressive] used for showing that someone can do something used in phrases to say that someone is able to do something have the ability/power/authority (to do something):

It's clear that the country has the ability to produce nuclear weapons.

I'm afraid I don't have the authority to approve the sale.

have permission/a right (to do something):

East Germans could not travel to the West unless they had special permission.

Everyone has a right to express their opinion.

have the chance/opportunity (to do something):

Some of us never had the chance to go to university.

9) have or have got

[transitive, never progressive] contain or include something to contain or include parts, members etc

The Green Party now has nearly 50,000 members.

The museum has two large rooms devoted to natural history.

10) have or have got

[transitive, never progressive] when something is available

a) used for saying that a person, shop, hotel etc can offer you something to buy or use

Have you got a double room for 23 June?

If you want the BBC Music Magazine, they have it at WH Smith's.

Have you got room for another one in your car?

b) if you have time for something, time is available for you to do it

have for:

We've just about got time for a quick swim before breakfast.

have time to do something:

I didn't have time to cook anything.

11) have or have got

[transitive] when someone is with you used for saying that someone is visiting you or spending time with you

We have friends staying with us at present.

have someone with you:

I'm afraid the manager's got someone with her at the moment.

have guests/visitors/company:

I don't want the children fooling around when I have guests.

12) have or have got

[transitive, never progressive] used for saying what is in your mind used for saying that there is an idea, a belief, or a feeling in your mind

I don't have any doubt at all about the success of our policies.

Do you ever have a feeling that you're being watched?

have an idea/plan/suggestion etc:

Has anyone got a better idea?

13)

a) [transitive, never passive] make something happen to make something happen

have an effect/result/influence/impact:

Hutton's book had a major impact on public opinion in this country.

Any increase in the rate of inflation could have a serious effect on levels of unemployment.

b) have or have got

[transitive, never progressive, never passive] to make someone have a particular feeling or do something in a particular way have someone worried/puzzled/in tears:

His sad story almost had us in tears.

You had me worried for a moment – I thought you weren't coming.

have someone doing something:

We need to have everyone sitting down at the same table.

14) [transitive, never passive] arrange for something to be done to arrange for something to be done or for someone to do something

have something done:

The place is looking much better since they had it redecorated.

The Queen had her portrait painted by Pietro Annigoni.

have someone do something:

I'll have the porter bring your luggage up right away.

15) have or have got

[transitive, never passive] when something happens near you and affects you used for saying that something happens in an area, group, organization etc that affects people there

They've had snow up in Scotland.

have had enough (of something) (= not want something to happen any longer):

The people of Northern Ireland have had enough of violence.

have someone doing something:

Last year the place was so full we had people sleeping on the floor.

Take lots of snacks or you'll have the kids complaining.

16) have or have got

[transitive, never progressive] used for showing how something is placed or arranged used for saying that you have put something in a particular position or have arranged it in a particular way

Ralph had his back to the door, so he didn't see me come in.

She's got her hair tied up in a bun today.

He'd got the book open in front of him.

17) have or have got

[transitive, never progressive] suffer from an illness or injury to suffer from an illness, disease, injury, or pain

I've got a terrible headache.

James had malaria while he was working in West Africa.

The X-rays show that he has a broken ankle.

18) have or have got

[transitive, never progressive] receive something

a) to receive a letter, message, or telephone call

I had a letter from my bank manager yesterday.

We've not had any news from home.

You have a phone call – do you want to take it in your office?

b) to receive help or advice

She had a lot of help and support from her friends.

c) to receive complaints or criticism

The airline has had thousands of complaints about delays and cancelled flights.

19) have or have got

[intransitive, never progressive] when something must be true used for showing that you are certain that something happens or is true, or for showing that you hope very much that it happens or is true

Things have to get better – they can't get any worse.

He's just got to come, or I'll die!

20) have or have got

[transitive, never progressive] be employed in a job to be responsible for doing a particular job or the work of an official position have a job/position/post etc:

He can't pay the rent because he hasn't got a job.

Foley had a junior post in the Foreign Office.

21) have or have got

[transitive, never progressive] when there is an arrangement to do something used for saying that something has been planned or arranged for a particular time

I've got an appointment with the dentist tomorrow afternoon.

Geoffrey's got lectures all day tomorrow.

22) have or have got

[transitive, never progressive] hold someone to be holding someone by a particular part of their body so that they cannot get away have someone by something:

I couldn't get away – he had me by the arm.

23) [transitive, never progressive] employ someone if you have someone who does a particular job, they work for you, usually in a much lower position

We have a man who comes in and cuts the grass once a fortnight.

24) [transitive, never progressive] informal have sex with someone to have sex with someone

He thinks he can have any woman he wants.

•

have a baby/child/twins etc — to give birth

Linda's going to have a baby.

She was only sixteen when she had her first child.

someone had better/best do something — mainly spoken used for saying what someone should do

You'd better be careful.

We'd best not say anything to my parents.

have a good/nice something — spoken used for saying that you hope someone enjoys something such as a journey, holiday, or period of time

Have a good weekend. See you on Monday.

have (got) something all to yourself — to have a place or time that you do not have to share with anyone else, so that you are free to do what you want in it

I'll have the house all to myself next week.

have (got) it coming — informal to deserve something bad that happens to you

have (got) someone (right/just/exactly) where you want them — to be in a situation in which you can do what you want to someone or defeat them easily

have (got) something ready/done/finished — to have finished work on something so that it is ready

have a duty/responsibility/obligation etc (to do something) — if you have a duty, responsibility etc, you should or must do something

I have a duty to report anything suspicious to the police.

Employers have an obligation to provide safe working conditions.

having done something/having been — after you have done something/after something has happened to you

Having spent over £100 on repairs, she wasn't expecting any more problems.

Having been warned of the danger, I took extra precautions.

rumour/word/legend has it that — used for showing that you are reporting something that you have heard when you are not sure whether it is really true

Rumour has it that her husband is not the father of the child.

- have been had

- have had it

- someone won't have something

- you have me there

Phrasal verbs:

- have against

- have got against

- have away

- have in

- have in for

- have off

- have on

- have out

- have over

- have round

- have up

See:

the haves, made I